The diagnostic criteria for sexual addiction are derived from the behaviorally nonspecific criteria for addictive disorder that were presented in Part 1 Goodman, b , by replacing "behavior" with "sexual behavior". Sexual Impulsivity Disorders: Psychiatric "Orphans". Common Issues in Female Sexual Dysfunction. This is the second of a two-part series on sexual addiction. Part I appeared in the July issue and presented a theory of sexual addiction-Ed.
The diagnostic criteria for sexual addiction are derived from the behaviorally nonspecific criteria for addictive disorder that were presented in Part 1 Goodman, b , by replacing "behavior" with "sexual behavior" see Table.
(mh=8_5Sg5gVzTTsyRbP)11.jpg "Woman Baltimore")
A definition of sexual addiction, which facilitates preliminary diagnosis of the disorder, can similarly be derived from the simple definition of addiction. Accordingly, sexual addiction is defined as a condition in which some form of sexual behavior is employed in a pattern that is characterized by two key features: 1 recurrent failure to control the sexual behavior, and 2 continuation of the sexual behavior despite significant harmful consequences.
Consequently, sexual addiction is a syndrome in which some form of sexual behavior relates to and affects an individual's life in such a manner as to accord with the simple definition of addiction or to meet the diagnostic criteria for addictive disorder. Significantly, no form of sexual behavior in itself constitutes sexual addiction. Whether a pattern of sexual behavior qualifies as sexual addiction is determined not by the type of behavior, its object, its frequency or its social acceptability, but by the relationship between this behavior pattern and an individual's life, as indicated in the definition and specified in the diagnostic criteria.
The key features that distinguish sexual addiction from other patterns of sexual behavior are: 1 the individual is not reliably able to control the sexual behavior, and 2 the sexual behavior has significant harmful consequences and continues despite these consequences. The paraphilic and hypersexual behaviors that characterize sexual addiction also can occur as manifestations of underlying organic pathology.
