Depression "Flares"

[v_levasseur]

To preface, this is another response of mine comforting someone who has chronic GI problems and struggles with libido. Though mental health issues and GI issues are fundamentally different conditions, there is an interrelatedness between the two that I feel gives this post relevancy within the forum. I know it's not applicable to everyone, and the majority of us are here because we lack concrete support systems. Regardless, I hope this helps at least someone on some level.

[Decreased libido] may be because you're not quite in a period of remission yet... I struggled with a lower libido for the longest time when my flares were ongoing. The residual depression (even if minimally present) of struggling with any chronic disease is going to put the desire for sex on the back burner. Once you hit a point of sustainable remission, however, and also granted if you have a loving supportive partner, the drive should return.

Once I found myself in a state of consistent remission, my drive went up exponentially. Partially because I felt good, but also because I felt even more deeply in love with my partner for enduring my episodic flares. Just remember that it's okay to have fluctuations in your drive. You're coping with A LOT- any psychological effects commensurate with flares are totally valid and natural. Your body is quite literally undergoing trauma, so don't be so hard on yourself if the libido isn't always there. If you can, with or without the help of a therapist, try being kinder to yourself because, again, this is a natural response to something you didn't ask to endure, but you're still pushing through and that alone is enough. I hope this helps at least a little!