NCJ Number
219537
Journal
Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: 2007 Pages: 131-143
Date Published
2007
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study explored how specialized sex therapists in Germany diagnosed and treated patients who displayed sexual addiction symptoms.
Abstract
The most common symptoms of sexually addicted patients, as reported by their therapists, were pornography dependence, compulsive masturbation, and protracted promiscuity. More women were diagnosed with “excessive sexual drive” and more men were diagnosed with “disorder of sexual preference,” both as defined by the ICD-10. Women were also more likely to display comorbid symptoms of anxiety disorders and eating disorders while men were more likely to display comorbid symptoms of substance disorders. The authors offer a critical analysis of the concept of “sexual addiction” and present an algorithm to facilitate the diagnosis process. The algorithm recognizes differences between the paraphilic and non-paraphilic types of excessive sexual behavior and offers a dynamic perspective that differentiates between progressive and non-progressive forms of paraphilia. Future research should examine whether the proposed diagnostic algorithm facilitates the diagnostic process for paraphilic and non-paraphilic types of excessive sexual behavior. Participants were 43 members of the German Society of Sex Research who were recruited for the study via a mailed questionnaire probing diagnoses, comorbidity, and treatment of patients who experienced sexual addiction problems. Data were analyzed using the Fisher’s exact test and chi-square analyses. Tables, figure, references, appendix