Psychopathology in individuals with sexual dysfunction

Abstract

The literature contains contradictory reports on the psychiatric status of individuals with sexual dysfunction. As a step toward resolving the controversy the SCL-90-R was administered (Symptom Check List 90-Revised) to a large series of patients who sought treatment for sexual disorders (325). Psychiatric evaluations were done for each patient. Disproportionate levels of psychological distress, reflected in SCL-90-R symptom profiles were shown. Approximately 1/3 of 199 men and 1/2 of 126 women in the series were also assigned psychiatric diagnoses. The various sexual dysfunctions apparently have characteristic symptom profiles, but interpretation should be cautious because the cause-and-effect relationship between psychological distress and sexual dysfunctions remains complex and uncharted.