Dr. Matthew Sadlier:

Mental health is a significant issue among sex workers and a number of studies have been conducted. Probably the most systematic was a Swiss study published in 2010 which found that the incidence of mental health problems among people involved in sex work was significantly higher than among the general population. Specifically, one is talking about post-traumatic stress disorder. Sex work, even in areas where it is legalised, is associated with violence, degradation and other factors that can lead to mental health problems. Another interesting study from Holland, an area where prostitution is legal, showed that depersonalisation - where sex workers move into a state of de-realisation to allow them to cope with the work they are doing - was prevalent. Depression, anxiety disorders and other diagnoses are more commonly found in sex workers than the general population.