Sexuality and mental illness in Casablanca. Morocco.
Berrada, Soumia*,1, Rachidi, Linda1, Maftouh, Sanaa1, Moussaoui, Driss1, Kadri, Nadia1, 1 University Psychiatric Center Ibn Rushd, Casablanca, Casablanca, MOROCCO
ABSTRACT- Objective: to explore sexual dysfunction of patients with mental illness. Methods: The criteria of sexual dysfunction were those of DSM IV. Seventy patients have been recruited and men represented 65.7% of the sample. Results: The mean age was 31.63 years +9.02. 28.6% were married. Patients with schizophrenia represented 37.1% and 40% were depressive. Patients took psychotropics during one year and more in 72.1% of cases. More than half of the sample didn't have any sexual partners in the 6 months preceding the survey. The mean time of sexual intercourse (without preliminary) was 12.97 min +6.90. Data of sexual dysfunction collected were as following: 37.1% achieved orgasm before illness vs. 5.7% after; 91.7% had a decrease of their sexual desire and 12.9% had a sexual aversion that started after illness in 77.8% of cases. For men, 17.1 % had erectile dysfunction with 93.3% after illness and 17.1% had ejaculation dysfunction. Ninety per cent of patients having sexual dysfunction thought that it is secondary to the illness. Conclusion: An important decrease of sexuality was noticed among mental illness patients. The sexuality should be evaluated carefully to the first consultation and regularly during the follow-up.
Key words: Mental illness, sexual behaviour, sexual dysfunction, psychotropics, first consultation