FAQ’s

Sexology 

Psychiatry 

A: The concept of sex is so simple but it has a complex definition. Some people say it is the method to reproduce offspring, some say it is pleasure and some say it is love. Sex means different to different people but all the definitions are correlated. Sex is a method to reproduce an offspring is true, sex provides pleasure is also true and it happens due to love of two people is also true. But some exceptions make it complex and difficult to understand. Homosexuality, in which people of same-gender have sex, is for pleasure and love but not to reproduce offspring. Hence the definitions of sex are complex to understand. Sex is further divided into several types like- Oral sex, simple sex, anal sex, masturbation, etc.

A: The study of science, as well as the art of sex, is called sexology. Sexology has a vast field in itself, in other words, we can say that sexology is a branch of medical science which deals with sexual issues. It includes sexual disorders, inabilities, counseling, etc. Sexology also deals with the morphology and anatomy of sexual or genital organs.

A: A sexologist, like any other ‘ologist’ is an expert and consultant for sexual issues, who diagnoses and provides treatment for sexual problems. A sexologist deals in several areas like psychology, medicine, anthropology, sociology, biology, and epidemiology. A person suffering from sexual problems and struggling for better sexual life may be helped by a sexologist. In this field, sexologist help people for their development in sexuality

A: A sexologist is an expert consultant of sex-related issues, a sexologist deals with the treatment of disorders and deficiency related to sex. On another hand, a sex therapist is a consultant and advisor who can help people with sexual problems that occur due to mental or psychological matters. A sex therapist is a person who counsels couples in relationship issues. So we can conclude that a sexologist deals with body problems related to sex, and a sex therapist deals with the mental and emotional issues related to sex.

A: Yes, a sexologist is an expert who deals in various fields which include psychology, medicine, anthropology, sociology, biology, and epidemiology. So a sexologist can provide relationship counseling.

A: Sex is considered the most natural activity in this world, it is a great myth related to sex. Sex is a very important thing, it is as important as food. So it is important for a person to have a good sexual life. Sex reduces stress, gives pleasure, and is also important to continue the next generation. Hence if a person is having any issues then there is a need for an expert who resolves the problems. Hence for a better life, there is a need for a sexologist, as sex is an indifferent part of our life.

A: Yes, as a sexologist is an expert who deals in various fields which include like psychology, medicine, anthropology, sociology, biology, and epidemiology. So a sexologist also provides relationship counselling.

A: A sexologist is a person holding three chairs:
• Sexuality educator
• Sex therapist
• Sex researches
A sexologist educates, advises as well as researches about sex.

A: May be, the mistakes done in childhood affect the sex life or sexual health of a person. Habits like masturbation, watching pornography, smoking, drug abuse and alcohol are some of the factors.

A: Spermatorrhea is a disorder or a condition in which a person experiences excessive spontaneous ejaculation. It is also been called involuntary orgasm, in this situation larger amount of spam ejaculates as compared to normal conditions. This condition or disorder generally happens due to excessive Masturbation and could be prevented by avoiding Masturbation.

A: Leucorrhoea denotes a discharge from the vagina, which is thick, yellow, or whitish. There are several causes of Leucorrhoea, one of the most common reasons is Estrogen Imbalance. It may disappear and reappear from time to time. It is also considered a sign of puberty.

A: Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection. It is caused due to a bacteria called Neisseria Gonorrhoeae. The primary symptoms include burning in urination and discharge. So one should refer to a sexologist if having such symptoms.

A: Syphilis is an infection or we may say sexually transmitted infection, which happens due to a bacteria known as spirochete bacterium. This is generally because of sexual intercourse, or we can say because of the medium is sexual contact. The sign and symptoms of syphilis occur in different stages, so one should consult a sexologist regarding this.

Mental illness is a brain disorder (and not merely a ‘mind’ disorder). It usually impacts the way a person thinks, feels, behaves, and interacts with other people. It is a common illness: each year, one in five adults is diagnosed with a mental illness. The term “mental illness” actually encompasses numerous psychiatric disorders, and just like illnesses that affect other parts of the body, they can vary in severity. As the term “mental illness” has acquired a pejorative connotation for many people, it is better to use the term “psychiatric illness/disorder”

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental (psychiatric) illnesses. Psychiatric care involves a comprehensive evaluation of emotional and physical health and the formulation/implementation of an individualized treatment plan, which may include medication, psychotherapy (‘talk therapy’), or other modalities. Psychiatrists help patients to understand the illness and to learn what they can do to resolve life problems that contribute to the illness. This may involve issues on the job, in school, or within the family and community.

Wrong. People seek psychiatric help for many reasons. Life’s usual round of trials may become overwhelming. Relationships may become troubled, or the pangs of anxiety – easily dismissed earlier as simple “nerves” – may grow sharper and last longer. The emotions that arise in reaction to everyday stresses and strains may blow badly out of proportion or maybe strangely absent. Eating may become a refuge, and sleep may begin to seem either irresistible or elusive. Alcohol or drug use may get out of control. The list of problems is long: a panic attack; frightening hallucinations; “voices” that whisper intrusive and incomprehensible things; a pall of gloom that never seems to lift, causing everyday life to feel distorted, out of control, not worth living.

A person with one or more of the following symptoms should be evaluated by a psychiatrist as soon as possible:

  • Marked personality change
  • Inability to cope with problems and daily activities
  • Strange ideas
  • Excessive worries
  • Prolonged depression and apathy
  • Marked changes in eating or sleeping patterns
  • Extreme highs and lows
  • Abuse of alcohol or drugs
  • Excessive anger, hostility, or violent behavior
  • A person who is thinking or talking about suicide or homicide should seek help immediately.

People approach psychiatrists for various reasons. Sleep problems, feeling sad and hopeless, having suicidal thoughts, persistent worry interfering with the quality of life, stressful life situations, obsessive and compulsive behaviors, anxiety-provoking thoughts and images in the mind, nightmares, paranoia, hearing voices, talking without sense, experiencing strange and difficult to explain phenomena, change in behavior, memory problems, overactivity, poor attention, drug and alcohol problems, etc. can be some of the reasons why people like to consult psychiatrists. Sometimes the family members may want to discuss with the psychiatrist how they could help their loved one better and may have other questions around encouraging a reticent person in need of help to attend the appointment with the psychiatrist.

It is wrong to assume that all mental health problems require medications. Modern psychiatric practice is based on a bio-psycho-social model of assessment and treatment. Medications are useful only if there are biological reasons which need biological treatments. 

The short answer – there is no difference.  The words diagnosis of a disorder are medical terms, based on an illness concept of describing psychological problems.  There is some value in using the medical model to describe psychological problems. But, it also creates confusion about how to properly treat psychological problems, because it implies that they are medical problems, rather than psychological problems.  That leads to a conclusion that medical treatment, such as drugs, must be better than psychological treatment, such as psychotherapy.

There is a large range of talking therapies (psychotherapy) such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), cognitive analytical therapy (CAT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy (MET), or motivational interviewing (MI), dynamic therapy (psychoanalysis – of which there are a number of varieties such as Freudian, Kleinian, Jungian, etc), couple therapy, family therapy, and so on. This range has been developed to address a huge number of problems such as low self-esteem and confidence issues, to illnesses such as schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression, through to personality problems including anger management and impulse control issues.

Choosing a particular therapy depends on the clinician/therapist’s skills, your preferences, and research evidence on the effectiveness of a particular therapy for a specific problem. A review of the current scientific evidence for the effectiveness of various psychotherapies for different conditions can be found on the resources page.

Yes. Your records will never be shared with anyone at any time without your written directive.

As a qualified psychiatrist from the United Kingdom, I follow General Medical Council’s (UK) booklet Good Medical Practice (2006) that makes it clear that patients have a right to expect that their doctors will hold information about them in confidence. This guidance sets out the principles of confidentiality and respect for patients’ privacy that you are expected to understand and follow.

Confidentiality is central to trust between doctors and patients. Without assurances about confidentiality, patients may be reluctant to seek medical attention or to give doctors the information they need in order to provide good care. But appropriate information sharing is essential to the efficient provision of safe, effective care, both for the individual patient and for the wider community of patients.

Confidentiality is an important duty, but it is not absolute. You can disclose personal information if: (a) it is required by law; (b) the patient consents – either implicitly for the sake of their own care; (c) is justified in the public interest.