Some issues of the psychosexual life of schizophrenic outpatients

Abstract

Introduction. Truism is the statement that psychosexual life is very important and gives one a feeling of happiness (but may steep in great sadness also). This issue becomes more significant regarding schizophrenics, who suffer from a disease, which such drastically and dramatically changes their inner life. The aim of the work was to examine chosen aspects of psychosexual life of paranoid schizophrenics, particularly experiencing delight, pleasure and hedonism.
Material and methods. There were examined 78 outpatients with schizophrenia (39 men, 39 women) and 78 healthy controls. Chosen scales and indexes of MMPI, ACL, SAI and RVS were applied.
Results. Scores obtained by outpatients significantly differed from the scores of healthy controls. All of the outpatients (but one) reported sexual problems, predominatingly lack of satisfaction with their sexual life. It was found that outpatients have greater self-discipline and self-control and as a result less spontaneity and impulse driving; there is less “playful”. Maybe neuroleptics “dash” not only psychopathologogical symptoms but life delight and expansion also.
Conclusions. It was found intense identification of outpatients with the traditional social sex role (gender). They have sexual problems caused by the illness itself or/and the neuroleptic treatment. In a less degree they are interested in relations with the other sex and have less satisfaction with such relations. Less intensive is “playful” and hedonistic attitude; the results depict anhedonia. They also less value the factor Life Hedonism and Immediate Gratification.