When Does Sexual Behavior Become Unmanageable? A 25-year-old man visits for a pulled muscle, and when asked if he has other concerns, he hesitantly mentions his worries about excessive pornography use. A 45-year-old woman, battling depression, is compulsively seeking sex outside her committed relationship. Her partner is on the verge of leaving, and she is distraught, unable to comprehend her own actions. Are these cases indicative of a sex addiction? What role should a primary care provider play in addressing these concerns?
Is directing them to a 12-step program the appropriate response? What other alternatives should be considered? Can a diagnosis be made, and is treatment warranted? Understanding Sexual “Norms” The idea of "normal" doesn't hold much weight in the realm of human sexual behavior. As sex therapist Marty Klein, PhD, puts it, " Normal is just a setting on the dryer ."…
