Supervisors info:
Δάλλα Χ., Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Ψαλτοπούλου Θ., Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Καντζανού Μ., Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
The last few years, especially after the financial crisis [1,2], Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) play a key role in therapeutics in Greece. Adult patients are prescribed the specific class of drugs for the management of major depression, bipolar disorder (with attention), migraines, anxiety and stress-related disorders. In the one hand, SSRIs are effective in the treatment of depression, in the other hand adverse effects, such as emotional blunting and lowering of sexual libido, have been commonly reported, but not studied to a great extent. Therefore, a pilot work with the aid of a questionnaire composed of eight different sections questing for anxiety and depression; sexual experiences; changes in sexual functioning; emotional side effects of patients’ treatment; energy level, motivation, weight gain, cognitive functioning, sleep and experiences that bring pleasure, took place in an independent pharmacy in the Northern suburbs of Athens, Greece from May 2018 to July 2018. The sample was composed by 20 participants, 15 women and 5 men, with age range between 35 and 67. As far as the preliminary results are concerned, five women and two men appeared to have detected changes in sexual functioning and five women and no men had difficulties apropos of sexual experiences. Two male participants and six females were in the upper level of Anxiety and depression and two women and one man had observed emotional disability. More than half of the participants, eleven, characterised the specific period of time the worst of their lives for their sexual life. The scales for sexuality appeared to be understandable for the patients, whereas the scales for anxiety and depression, which measured the patients’ feelings, confused them. As the study was exploratory a lot of issues came out. Suggestions have been made as there is space for improvement and further research. The antidepressants now play a major role in therapy hereafter their role would be greater and more crucial.
Keywords:
Antidepressants, Emotional blunting, Loss of sexual libido, SSRIS
