Diagnosing Sexual Addiction Accurately

Ben Hughes
School of Social Work and Social Policy
Trinity College Dublin



Background
Treatment providers report an increase in the number of individuals presenting with out-of-
control sexual behaviour. A proposal is being considered to designate this behaviour as a
sexual disorder and classify it as a psychiatric condition in the upcoming edition of the DSM-
V. The concept remains highly controversial and the debate continues regarding how to
conceptualise this behaviour.

Aim
This purpose of this paper is to critique the concept of sexual addiction and to examine out-
of-control behaviour within a broad context and examine a range of possible explanations for
the behaviour.

Methodology
A phenomenological approach is used which involved a literature review followed by a pilot
study, focus groups, questionnaires and interviews. Participants included 54 treatment
providers working in the area of child care, sexual health and education. Individual face-to-
face interviews were conducted, recorded, later transcribed and electronically stored. Ethical
approval was obtained and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and Thematic
Analysis (TA) are used for data analysis.

Findings
The term sexual addiction is commonly used, by professionals and others, despite the lack of
any recognised medical classification or diagnostic criteria. Despite its popular use, some
treatment providers argue that the term is inaccurate, used prematurely and pejorative. They
claim that the use of this term does not give sufficient recognition to other significant socio-
cultural and medical factors which influences sexual behaviour. Out-of-control sexuality
may be a manifestation of a range of underlying or co-morbid neurological, endocrine and
psychiatric disorders, among others, which when treated, eases the condition and regularises
the sexual behaviour.

Conclusions and Implications
Out-of-control or dysregulated sexual behaviour is associated with a variety of physiological
and psychological issues. Careful consideration is required to establish the true identity of
such behaviour so as to respond accurately and to avoid inappropriate labelling.


This research is funded by the Irish Research Council for the Humanities & Social Sciences
IRCHSS