Posted by yznhymer on August 12, 2007, at 2:18:38
In reply to Re: Permanent Male Sexual Dysfunction after Remero » yznhymer, posted by girlnterrupted78 on August 12, 2007, at 0:38:49
> I'm pretty positive he's not clinically depressed. I mean, he could be traumatized and shocked over his loss of sexual function. But he doesn't suffer from 'clinical depression'--the kind that afflicts people (like us) for life and that not even life positive events will reverse.
>
> He's just in shock and traumatized after suffering from such an meaningful loss for him.
>
> Imagine losing a leg or an arm. Would you be depressed knowing you lost your arm forever? If this happened to a healthy person, he would not necessarily become clinically depressed, but he'd be traumatized and overwhelmed, and it would take him a long time to come to terms with it.
>
> And in a guy like him, who used to be outgoing and sexual (not depressed or phobic), it is quite a shock and a huge loss, because an amazing part of his life is GONE. He's no longer able to date, after having amazing dates in his life. Dating is embarrassing and shameful, so no more dates, ever.
>
> So I'm positive he doesn't suffer from depression, although it would be understandable for someone to get depressed over a terrible life situation like this.
>
> However, that supposed 'depression' that you mention is NOT the 'cause' of the sexual dysfunction. Rather, the sexual dysfunction would be the cause of the 'supposed' depression, if he were to become depressed over this.
>
> No chicken or egg situation.Clinical depression does not necessarily afflict people for life, nor is it necessarily immune to treatment or even resolving itself for that matter. All cases are not like the ones we, ourselves, suffer.
As you know, the two hallmarks of depressions are loss of interest in or pleasure from activities that you used to enjoy, and feeling sad, helpless or hopeless. There are other symptoms as well, but your friend says his emotions are completely dead and he can't enjoy ANYTHING anymore, and he is hopeless to the point of not wanting to live.
Depression in response to a traumatic event or condition is called an Adjustment Disorder. It is one of the major types of depression:
"Adjustment disorders. If a loved one dies, you lose your job or you receive a diagnosis of cancer, it's perfectly normal to feel tense, sad, overwhelmed or angry. Eventually, most people come to terms with the lasting consequences of life stresses, but some don't. This is what's known as an adjustment disorder — when your response to a stressful event or situation causes signs and symptoms of depression. Some people develop an adjustment disorder in response to a single event. In others, it stems from a combination of stressors. Adjustment disorders can be acute (lasting less than six months) or chronic (lasting longer). Doctors classify adjustment disorders based on the primary signs and symptoms of depression or anxiety." Mayo Clinic
If he's not coming to terms with his situation and the shock and trauma are not resolving themselves - and I would say if he's feeling suicidal it sounds like they aren't, then he may very well have an adjustment disorder, i.e., depression.
My point about the chicken and the egg is it doesn't really matter which came first. If he's depressed now, 1) it could be perpetuating the sexual dysfunction even if something else caused it and, more importantly 2) if he's suicidal, hopeless, traumatized, then he should be getting some professional help. At the very least, in my humble opinion, he should have a professional, not you, me or himself (under the circumstances) assess whether he's clinically depressed or not.
I'm not suggesting that his sexual problem is not real or was not caused by his experience with medication. I am not suggesting that it did not cause his current state of mind. I am not even suggesting that it doesn't need to be addressed directly as a problem in and of itself. All I'm suggesting is that his state of mind can very well be contributing to the perpetuation of the problem and might need to be addressed as part of the solution. More importantly, because if he's suicidal his life is at stake, his mental state in and of itself sounds serious enough to warrant professional attention.
I really do hope your friend finds some relief soon and I commend your efforts to help him. Good luck to you both.
Y
poster:yznhymer
thread:775244
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070808/msgs/775691.html