The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped gland that surrounds a man's bladder and urethra. The prostate gland is responsible for the secretion of fluids that carry the sperm. Chronic prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate gland that develops slowly and lasts a long time. The symptoms of chronic prostatitis, which include incontinence, frequent and painful urination and lower back pain, negatively affect the lifestyle of a patient and may impact him psychologically.
Depression
Depression is a chronic medical condition that is characterized by feelings of sadness, irritability, loss of interest in regular activities, reduced sex drive, insomnia and loss of appetite. Half of the patients with chronic prostatitis met the clinical criteria for major depression, according to a study published in "The Clinical Journal of Pain." Contributing factors to the depression are the frequent and painful urination and lower back pain. Long-term use of pain medications to treat the pain may also contribute to depression.
Psychosocial Stress
A research paper published in the "Journal of Psychosomatic Research" states that 57 percent of patients with chronic prostatitis were more prone to conditions such as hysteria and hypochondriasis, which involves excessive worry about having an illness. These conditions lead to psychosocial distress in the patient, perhaps preventing the individual from behaving appropriately in social situations.
Poor Quality of Life
The constant pain, incontinence and frequent urination associated with chronic prostatitis prevent the patient from doing his daily activities efficiently. Symptoms inhibit a man's participation in social activities, promoting feelings of isolation. An article published in the December 2004 edition of "Journal of the British Association of Urological Surgeons" reports a significantly lower quality of life, along with depressive symptoms, in individuals with chronic prostatitis. Counseling is recommended as an essential part of therapy in all patients with chronic prostatitis.
References
- "Journal of Psychosomatic Research"; Psychological and physical factors involved in chronic idiopathic prostatitis; JP Berghuis; October 1996
- "The Clinical Journal of Pain"; Psychological Problems in Chronic Prostatitis Patients with Pain; Kelly J. Egan, et al; September 1994
- "Journal of the British Association of Urological Surgeons"; Predictors of quality of life and pain in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: findings from the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Cohort Study; Dean A. Tripp, et al; December 2004
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