Alexithymia and Self-esteem in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction: A Comparative Study

The extent to which advances of sexual dysfunction have harmful consequences for positive mental health is wellknown since long. World literature have proven that psychological constructs play an important role not only in developing and maintaining sexual problems but also in treatment seeking behavior and outcome. This study was done on patients with erectile dysfunction which are not well studied in Indian context. Material and methods: It was a cross sectional study, in which Fifty (50) Patients with erectile dysfunction, diagnosed as per ICD-10 criteria were selected. Fifty (50) healthy matched subjects constituted the control group. Assessment was done by using Toronto Alexithymia Scale-Hindi, Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale and General Health Questionnaire. The statistical analysis was carried out by using the SPSS Windows 16.0 software package. Results: Significant differences were seen in alexithymia and Self Esteem scores between erectile dysfunction group and normal control group. Erectile dysfunction group scored significantly higher on alexithymia in comparison with control group. However, erectile dysfunction group scored significantly lower on score of Self Esteem than the normal control group. Significant negative relationship was found between alexithymia and Self Esteem scores. Conclusion: These findings should be considered as a breakthrough and can be taken seriously that presence of high alexithymia and low Self Esteem(that are highly prevalent) in patient with erectile dysfunction may negatively affect the treatment outcome. So authors strongly recommended that treatment of this vulnerable population should also focus on credible and potentially effective means of helping them cope with low self-esteem.