How to recognize the signs of strongsexualstrong addiction Asking the.pdfVIP

How to recognize the signs of sexual addiction Asking the right questions may uncover serious problems Jennifer P. Schneider, MD, PhD VOL 90/N0 6/NOVEMBER 1, 1991/POSTGRADUATE MEDICINE - SEXUAL ADDICTION Preview: Addiction to sexual activities can be just as destructive as addiction to chemical substances. Addicts may jeopardize their marriage and family relationships, allow their job performance to deteriorate, and endanger themselves and their partner through multiple sexual exposures. Even though they realize the consequences, they cannot control their compulsions without appropriate treatment. The author explains how to spot addicts and coaddicts among your patients. For most people, sex enhances the quality of life. However, about 3% to 6% of Americans have sexual addiction(1). Through their addiction, they may injure themselves physically, experience psychological distress, lose their livelihood, and ruin meaningful relationships. Sexual addiction often coexists with chemical dependency, and untreated sexual addiction contributes to relapse to chemical use. These patients not only endanger themselves but also put their loved ones at risk for AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Physicians can help by learning about this phenomenon, which is gaining increasing attention in behavioral medicine, and then educating these patients and their families. Criteria for sexual addiction The concept of sexual addiction was introduced less than 10 years ago(2). It not only provides an explanation for otherwise irrational behavior but also suggests effective treatment for patients who have not been helped by more traditional therapy.The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, revised third edition (DSM-III- R)(3), lists nine criteria for chemical dependency (table 1). The presence of three establishes the diagnosis. Most of t