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SSRI's and sex drive

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March 9th, 2008
Alright, this is my theory on how ssri antidepressants work to "treat depression"

One of the most common side effects of ssri's is a decreased sex drive. I believe repressed sexuality is an important factor in the cause of many people's depression/anxiety and anger.

So when you take ssri's you lose your sex drive and therefore you stop repressing it, as the drug more or less removes it.

So SSRI's = decreased sex drive = less repression of sexuality = less anger/frustration = less depression = "happiness"
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First Helper Kd121
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PenguinsRus
replied March 11th, 2008
Extremely eHealthy
This is an interesting theory. However, one can argue on the other end that the act and release of sexuality decreases depression because it releases endorphins. If someone has an increased sex drive, they are more likely to have sex or masturbate. No matter what way the sexual pleasure is achieved, endorphins are released, thus making an individual happier, so in a weird way could SSRI's also be hurting the bodys natural way of becoming happy?
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Georgia59
replied March 12th, 2008
Especially eHealthy
Not all ssri's do that... as far as I know. Or at least not for everyone.

THe problem is, seratonin affects so much of our lives, it's hard to know even how much.
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Kd121
replied March 13th, 2008
Penguin I agree with you. The reason I put "happiness" in quotes is because I don't believe that the state of mind achieved through use of antidepressants is happiness, is it merely the perceived removal of depression, leaving the person using them in a pleasantly apathetic state.
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Seraph
replied March 13th, 2008
Experienced User
Which brings another interesting point to light...

Seeing as endorphins is a natural pain killer...would that not be the drive and/or urge behind self-injury? Seeing that if you hurt your self, your body produces endorphins to kill the pain and thus giving a feeling of "well-being"?
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