Complete loss of sex drive because of antidepressants...

[kleinstadt1]

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Interesting catch 22...because if I lost my sex drive I would really need the anti-depressants.

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Another Catch-22 way of looking at it: a side-effect of the medication is a symptom of the very same disease the medication is treating.

[Roy Munson]

What is with the cutting yourself? I thought that was a chick thing.
You seem to have two choices. Keep taking the anti-depressants and give up orgasms. Or, give up the anti-depressants, embrace your emotional downswings and find some hot dysfunctional broad who digs depressed guys and blow a Peter North sized load on her.

[EscapePlan9]

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What is with the cutting yourself? I thought that was a chick thing.
You seem to have two choices. Keep taking the anti-depressants and give up orgasms. Or, give up the anti-depressants, embrace your emotional downswings and find some hot dysfunctional broad who digs depressed guys and blow a Peter North sized load on her.

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I'm also a guy who used to cut himself in his teenage years. For me it was a way to calm myself when I got ridiculously anxious for no good reason. And I also did it when I was feeling depressed - not to kill myself, but to feel something different than depressed. It's not a good coping mechanism obviously.

[Klompy]

Can we please get a joint thread about "ask me what it feels like to be a cutter" or something, because this is one form of coping that I've never understood at all.

I drink my pain away.

[Milo]

Actual, real-life clinical psychologist here. Gina's posts were essentially correct. Other antidepressants, even other SSRIs may have a lesser effect. Loss of libido, difficulty sustaining erection or difficulty having an orgasm are all very common side effects of many antidepressants. For most, the sexual side effects are not as bad as the depression, but this certainly should be explored further with your psychiatrist, and please see a psychiatrist rather than a PCP. There may be other med options that will effectively treat your depression, but allow a greater degree of sexual functioning.

And I'd recommend printing out info for your GF, to help her understand the sexual problems you are having. Depending on the seriousness of the relationship, consider bringing her along to a counseling session or two (assuming you are also in therapy). Sexual problems have a way of becoming bigger over time, and overlapping into other areas, so they should be addressed. Some people in your situation begin avoiding sex, which only makes the relationship problem worse.

[AlexM]

Wow, you lucky bastard. What are you complaining about? Now you can actually maintain focus on important things and get something done with your life!

[jackflashdrive]

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Wow, you lucky bastard. What are you complaining about? Now you can actually maintain focus on important things and get something done with your life!

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I drink my pain away.

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[Anacardo]

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Wow, you lucky bastard. What are you complaining about? Now you can actually maintain focus on important things and get something done with your life!

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Like... what?