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Minerva Psichiatrica 2003 December;44(4):217-24

Copyright © 2003 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Sexual experience in psychotic patients

Sorrento E.

The aim of the present paper is to explore a complex topic that has been poorly discussed in the literature. The author has gathered together topics coming from psychiatric and clinical sexuology, apparently very different, but useful to understand elements of the personality that are often neglected in psychiatric patients. The paper describes the evolution of the term ''psychosis'' and the specific personality characteristics of the psychotic patient; the etiopathogenesis is outlined, but preference is given to the investigation of sexual disorders and conflicts which are present in the psychiatric illness. A research study carried out at the Rehabilitation Center of the Fatebenefratelli Hospital in San Maurizio Canavese (Turin) is presented. Finally, the pharmacological interference between psychiatric pathology and sexuality ground is discussed.