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Suggest Ways To Improve Sex Drive When Suffering From Depression
Question: I suffer from depression and am looking for ways to improve my sex drive/libido/desire/attraction. I have watched a lot of porn in the past. I was probably addicted. Would abstaining from porn/masturbation help me to regain my attraction for the opposite sex? Please let me know as soon as you can.
Brief Answer:
contol depression fully & watch out for drugs
Detailed Answer:
Hello,b
Your low sex drive looks like part of depression..it is very common in depressive disorder. So,first it is necessary to manage depressive episode completely.
With this only, your major part of lack of libido will be handled.
Not watching porn is not an option that will help,however, you may try it if it appers to be helpful for you..there is no harm.
Your excess of porn was a part of your manic phase most probably- as it is quite common in mania.
Second reason behind low sex drive can be some drugs used for managing mania .....so,it will be better you check your drugs and also see if lack of libido coincides with starting of any new drug?
Good luck.
Feel free to discuss any issue for clarification.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neurospychiatry
contol depression fully & watch out for drugs
Detailed Answer:
Hello,b
Your low sex drive looks like part of depression..it is very common in depressive disorder. So,first it is necessary to manage depressive episode completely.
With this only, your major part of lack of libido will be handled.
Not watching porn is not an option that will help,however, you may try it if it appers to be helpful for you..there is no harm.
Your excess of porn was a part of your manic phase most probably- as it is quite common in mania.
Second reason behind low sex drive can be some drugs used for managing mania .....so,it will be better you check your drugs and also see if lack of libido coincides with starting of any new drug?
Good luck.
Feel free to discuss any issue for clarification.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neurospychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So, is masturbating to porn a healthy practice for a single male? I find it very arousing.
Brief Answer:
try having normal libido by treating depression
Detailed Answer:
Hello
The problem here is not that if you should or should not watch porn but- to have your original normal libido back even without porn..
this can only happen when your depression is well controlled and there are no drugs which cause this low libido as its side effects.
I think you would not be happy only by watching porn and otherwise feeling low all time..
So, ro make the point : for long term control of bipolar disorder and have a healthy life - you need to work on this symptom and not continue to use other measures like porn ( even though it is not harmful as such).
I hope this clears the point.
Wish you speedy recovery.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neueopsychiatry
try having normal libido by treating depression
Detailed Answer:
Hello
The problem here is not that if you should or should not watch porn but- to have your original normal libido back even without porn..
this can only happen when your depression is well controlled and there are no drugs which cause this low libido as its side effects.
I think you would not be happy only by watching porn and otherwise feeling low all time..
So, ro make the point : for long term control of bipolar disorder and have a healthy life - you need to work on this symptom and not continue to use other measures like porn ( even though it is not harmful as such).
I hope this clears the point.
Wish you speedy recovery.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neueopsychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi, Doctor. I understand what you are saying. My depression is being addressed quite well but, my problem, in my opinion is my libido or sex drive. Before my illness, I was a healthy man who had a good sex drive and loved being around women. I was involved in several good relationships and loved having sexual relationships with these women. Life was good and I was happy and content. Everything in my life came easier: work, family,play, etc.
Now, life is different. I function but do not have any sense of peace and contentment. I live one day to the next, not thinking alot about the future.
I DON'T WANT TO LIVE LIKE THIS!
I want to be as I used to be in my life. Now, I experience anxiety all the time and feel like I am being held back from pursuing the life that I want to.
My libido might be coming back a bit but, I am not as I used to be.
I would love to get married again someday or at least have a significant relationship.
Honestly, if I could turn back the hands of time and be as I was a few short months ago I would be in heaven.
I feel like I am stuck. My sex drive or desire for women is not what it used to be. This is a problem for me because I don't feel like a man. I still find certain women attractive but things are not as they used to be. For me to live the life that I want to live, things have to change.
Dr., what can I do to make things better?
As I have said, my depression is getting better but, I am still not happy.
I have been to two therapists but, my issue still persists. Am I over-reacting or can I do something more to make my life the way I want it to be?
Please help XXXXXXX
Now, life is different. I function but do not have any sense of peace and contentment. I live one day to the next, not thinking alot about the future.
I DON'T WANT TO LIVE LIKE THIS!
I want to be as I used to be in my life. Now, I experience anxiety all the time and feel like I am being held back from pursuing the life that I want to.
My libido might be coming back a bit but, I am not as I used to be.
I would love to get married again someday or at least have a significant relationship.
Honestly, if I could turn back the hands of time and be as I was a few short months ago I would be in heaven.
I feel like I am stuck. My sex drive or desire for women is not what it used to be. This is a problem for me because I don't feel like a man. I still find certain women attractive but things are not as they used to be. For me to live the life that I want to live, things have to change.
Dr., what can I do to make things better?
As I have said, my depression is getting better but, I am still not happy.
I have been to two therapists but, my issue still persists. Am I over-reacting or can I do something more to make my life the way I want it to be?
Please help XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
it will take time..discuss changing lithium
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I will try to make my point more clear--
1. In depression and anxiety disorder or in depressive phase of bipolar disorder: low sex drive is a common complaint in male patients. I dont want to discourage you but, this is slow to improve.
However, almost everyone goes back to their normal sex drive with time and proper treatment.
2. You said that depression is going but you are not happy- actually your mood needs to come back to normal before the libido gets better. So, you must have some patience and give medicines time..you are already trying other options which work with you...but natural behaviour comes with time..
So, inspite of feeling more low- try to tell yourself that you are improving and very soon you will go back to your normal drive.
3. Lithium may has some component in your case - leading to low libido. Try to talk to your doctor to change or reduce its dosage. I think it will be better to change to some other mood stabiliser which is sexually neutral and also control fresh episodes. This is coz even with present lithium dose you are getting new episodes- so it is useless to reduce it more. Its better changed.
There are safer options available now a days.
4. Eat healthy- include more salads,sprouts , walnuts/ almonds in diet. Walk or exercise routinely...all these help in coming out of depression and also help your libido.
Good luck.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
it will take time..discuss changing lithium
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I will try to make my point more clear--
1. In depression and anxiety disorder or in depressive phase of bipolar disorder: low sex drive is a common complaint in male patients. I dont want to discourage you but, this is slow to improve.
However, almost everyone goes back to their normal sex drive with time and proper treatment.
2. You said that depression is going but you are not happy- actually your mood needs to come back to normal before the libido gets better. So, you must have some patience and give medicines time..you are already trying other options which work with you...but natural behaviour comes with time..
So, inspite of feeling more low- try to tell yourself that you are improving and very soon you will go back to your normal drive.
3. Lithium may has some component in your case - leading to low libido. Try to talk to your doctor to change or reduce its dosage. I think it will be better to change to some other mood stabiliser which is sexually neutral and also control fresh episodes. This is coz even with present lithium dose you are getting new episodes- so it is useless to reduce it more. Its better changed.
There are safer options available now a days.
4. Eat healthy- include more salads,sprouts , walnuts/ almonds in diet. Walk or exercise routinely...all these help in coming out of depression and also help your libido.
Good luck.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your help Doctor. I will follow your advice. You have made things very clear . I appreciate your help. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
good luck
Detailed Answer:
Thank you too XXXXXXX ..and all the best for a speedy recovery.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
good luck
Detailed Answer:
Thank you too XXXXXXX ..and all the best for a speedy recovery.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi, Dr. XXXXXXX
I am frustrated.
I totally understand your advice and will follow it. My low libido is my greatest concern and maybe it shouldn't be.
Lately, I am living a lot in the past. I think constantly about past relationships that I was in. They were great women and I had healthy sexual relationships with all of them. I really miss this.
My last girlfriend is a beautiful woman and I think about her often. Tears come to my eyes when I think about the "good times" we had. Yesterday I happened to see her and I took the opportunity to tell her that I "loved" her. I kissed her on the cheek and told her that no matter what happens from here on in, I love her.
Yet,I seem to be too weak or scared to pursue her once again. She is beautiful,very attractive. We had our problems. When I got sick with depression last summer, things went really downhill. XXXXXXX tried to support me but, I was too sick to appreciate it.
Many people have told me that I should pursue other relationships. Some have said that I should look after myself first. I can't forget about XXXXXXX And I am also still sick to a point that I don't feel like myself. There is not a day that I wake up and feel like the old me. In a nutshell, I miss my past! I really enjoyed my life and everything was good.
Do you have any advice as to how I can turn my life around? I am actively treating my depression although I could eat better and exercise more. I am trying to do the right things in my life.
What do you think? Things were so much better for me and I was so much happier just a short year ago
Thanks for your help
I am frustrated.
I totally understand your advice and will follow it. My low libido is my greatest concern and maybe it shouldn't be.
Lately, I am living a lot in the past. I think constantly about past relationships that I was in. They were great women and I had healthy sexual relationships with all of them. I really miss this.
My last girlfriend is a beautiful woman and I think about her often. Tears come to my eyes when I think about the "good times" we had. Yesterday I happened to see her and I took the opportunity to tell her that I "loved" her. I kissed her on the cheek and told her that no matter what happens from here on in, I love her.
Yet,I seem to be too weak or scared to pursue her once again. She is beautiful,very attractive. We had our problems. When I got sick with depression last summer, things went really downhill. XXXXXXX tried to support me but, I was too sick to appreciate it.
Many people have told me that I should pursue other relationships. Some have said that I should look after myself first. I can't forget about XXXXXXX And I am also still sick to a point that I don't feel like myself. There is not a day that I wake up and feel like the old me. In a nutshell, I miss my past! I really enjoyed my life and everything was good.
Do you have any advice as to how I can turn my life around? I am actively treating my depression although I could eat better and exercise more. I am trying to do the right things in my life.
What do you think? Things were so much better for me and I was so much happier just a short year ago
Thanks for your help
Brief Answer:
still have moderate depression, start therapy
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
After reading this post I feel that you still have a significant part of depression left in you. Whatever you are taking is not sufficinet- you have to increase the dose to get out of these thoughts ....it is a must.
Comparing current life with past; feeling bad , self pity,tearfullness and low confidence-- they are so commonly found in moderate depressive episode.
You may try entering into therapy sessions simultaneously. The CBT sessions will help you immensly. Get in touch with a certified councellor or your own psychiatrist and get therapy. The situation is not bad as you feel but the cloud of sadness and lack of confidence is overpowering you right now.
Every patient has one or the other main component which is affected more than others and this troubles him. In your case this is regarding relationships. Trust me you will come out of this grey cloud...
And please look ahead...future can be more bright compared to your past...you just havent seen it yet!!
Good luck.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
still have moderate depression, start therapy
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
After reading this post I feel that you still have a significant part of depression left in you. Whatever you are taking is not sufficinet- you have to increase the dose to get out of these thoughts ....it is a must.
Comparing current life with past; feeling bad , self pity,tearfullness and low confidence-- they are so commonly found in moderate depressive episode.
You may try entering into therapy sessions simultaneously. The CBT sessions will help you immensly. Get in touch with a certified councellor or your own psychiatrist and get therapy. The situation is not bad as you feel but the cloud of sadness and lack of confidence is overpowering you right now.
Every patient has one or the other main component which is affected more than others and this troubles him. In your case this is regarding relationships. Trust me you will come out of this grey cloud...
And please look ahead...future can be more bright compared to your past...you just havent seen it yet!!
Good luck.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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