Study shows more sex for depressed women

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BLADDER_MASTER

is no more
DEPRESSED women have more sex than those who are happier, regardless of whether they are in a relationship or not, a study of Australians has found.
A survey of Melbourne women presented at an international mental health conference has concluded that females who suffer from mild to moderate depression have a third more sexual activity than those who are not.

They also had more sexually liberated attitudes, a bigger variety of sexual experiences and, if single, were more likely to partake in casual sex, Dr Sabura Allen, a clinical psychologist at Monash University, said.

"It was more sex and more of everything from kissing to petting, foreplay and intercourse," said Dr Allen, who studied the recent sexual experiences of 107 depressed and non-depressed women who were in relationships.

"We knew this anecdotally from clinical samples but this is the first time it's been shown in research."

She said depressed women were likely seeking out sexual intimacy more often to help feel more secure.

"When people are depressed they feel more insecure about their relationships and concerned that their partner may not care about them or find them valuable," Dr Allen said.

"Having sex helps them feel that closeness and security."

Asked whether intercourse could be an effective balm for depression, the psychologist said "we really don't know but we presume it helps as it gives these women opportunities to be close to their partner and loved."

The team also is investigating depressed single women and has found a trend towards more casual sex than happier singles.

Dr Allen said Australian couples tend to have sex between once and three times a week, with "very much the majority in the once a week group".

Single women have it "significantly less", but the same is not necessarily true of single men.

The study, soon to be published in a British medical journal, was presented today at the International Congress on Women's Mental Health in Melbourne where the latest research in mental illness and hormone-related conditions is being showcased.

New studies have shown high rates of severe PMS and post-natal depression among Australian women, a dramatic drop in the abortion rate, and a promising new treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
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Source: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23407853-662,00.html
 
i've thought about this subject before, but question whether or not the sample they used can be diagnosed as clinically depressed [i.e. major depressive episode(s)]

you also have to consider that the study was done in australia, using people of that culture, so the results can't necessarily be generalized to the general population (i.e. all women).

But i think it's true to a certain extent and think you would probably find similar results if the study had been conducted here.

I think it has more to do with low self-esteem and insecurity than "depression." And I'm not surprised that single women tend to have more flings/sex. I've had friends who unconsciously use sex as a way to boost their self-esteem. In other words, they figure if someone will have sex with them, then they must be likable or pretty to a certain extent. But it's a vicious cycle when the persons they're having sex with are looking for just that and not a meaningful relationship. Or when the other person figures out that there's not much to her other than sex, or when the other person figures out she's a ho'. LoL Eventually the girl gets rejected and is thrust back into a bout of depression/insecurity/doubt, and then she acts out by engaging in risky sexual behavior, feels good, then feels bad . . . u get the point.

Another possible explanation for that, which I'm surprised that article didn't mention, is the fact that levels of seratonin increase during/after sexual intercourse. Seratonin is a natural chemical in our brains that's partially responsible for feelings of happiness and/or love. It's the same chemical that the drug "ecstasy" makes you create gobs of. Just that sex doesn't make you produce it in such mass quantities. . . but enough to make yah feel nice.
 
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