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Reducing State Anxiety Using Working Memory Maintenance
Published on: July 19, 2017
Anxiety and female sexual functioning: an empirical study
Davide Dèttore1, Martina Pucciarelli, Emiliano Santarnecchi
1Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. davide.dettore@unifi.it
Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy
|January 30, 2013
Summary
Women with anxiety disorders experience poorer sexual functioning and increased sexual inhibition compared to those without. Anxiety significantly impacts sexual health, highlighting the need for integrated treatment approaches.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Sexual Health
Background:
- Research on anxiety and female sexual functioning presents conflicting findings.
- Anxiety disorders may significantly impact various aspects of sexual health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of state/trait anxiety and anxiety sensitivity on sexual functioning and inhibition/excitation in women.
- To compare sexual responding in women with and without diagnosed anxiety disorders.
Main Methods:
- Self-report questionnaires assessed state/trait anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, sexual functioning, and sexual inhibition/excitation.
- Participants included women with anxiety disorders (panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder) and a comparison group without anxiety disorders.
Main Results:
- Women with anxiety disorders reported worse sexual functioning (excluding desire, lubrication, pain) and higher sexual inhibition.
- Anxiety sensitivity and dispositional anxiety significantly predicted sexual dysfunctions.
- Performance failure threat was linked to increased sexual inhibition in women with anxiety disorders.
Conclusions:
- Anxiety disorders are associated with diminished sexual functioning and increased sexual inhibition in women.
- Dispositional anxiety is a significant predictor of sexual dysfunction.
- Clinical interventions for anxiety disorders should consider integrating sexual health and functioning assessments.
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1. Benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor in the brain, enhancing GABA's interaction. This action reduces neurotransmission, effectively blocking anxiety-associated limbic circuitry.