Sexual addiction?
Abstract
In the case of sexually addictive symptoms with disorder characteristics, a distinction should be made between deviant (paraphilias) and non-deviant forms. The authors use the term paraphilia-related disorder for the non-deviant forms. In terms of etiology, an interaction of increased biological vulnerability, attachment and relationship disorders, disorders of affect regulation and control of sexual excitability is important. There are people who tend to react to depression and anxiety by increasing sexual excitability and who try to deal with negative emotions through sexual activity. The importance of the sexual stimulus itself should not be overlooked either. In addition to specific psychotherapy and attending self-help groups, drug approaches, particularly with serotonin reuptake inhibitors, offer additional help.