Sexuality and Mental Health: The Need for Mutual Development and Research

Abstract

Research in the field of sexuality has shown growing scientific development in recent years, although there’s a lack of well-trained professionals who could contribute to increasing its benefits. Sexuality continues to be a taboo with different interpretations and difficult delimitation of either normal or pathological behavior. More resources are needed for the understanding of new emerging pathologies, and to increase the research in new models of sexual behavior. All psychiatric diseases include symptoms affecting sexual life, such as impaired desire, arousal, or sexual satisfaction that need to be properly addressed. Health providers and prescribers must detect and prevent iatrogenic sexual dysfunction that can highly deteriorate a patient’s sexual life and satisfaction, leading to frequent drop-outs of medication. Approaching and researching aspects of sexual intimacy, life desires, frustrations, and fears undoubtedly constitutes the best mental health care.