Sexual anorexia

Sexual anorexia is a term coined in 1975 by psychologist Nathan Hare to describe a fear of or deep aversion to sexual activity.[1][2] It is considered a loss of "appetite" for sexual contact, and may result in a fear of intimacy or an aversion to any type of sexual interaction. The term largely exists in a colloquial sense and is not presently classified as a disorder in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual.[3]

In comparing sexual anorexia to anorexia nervosa, some psychologists suggest that the two disorders share four main characteristics: control, fear, anger, and justification.[4]

Empirical data

Very few studies have been conducted to investigate the specific diagnostic patterns or criteria regarding sexual anorexia. However, one study conducted by Patrick Carnes found that many of his patients diagnosed with sexual anorexia also had a history of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, other compulsive or addictive problems such as substance abuse, or a family history of addiction. However, only early treatment data was used, and the sample size was very limited.[1]

Sexual addiction

In the view of some practitioners, corroborating the work of Patrick Carnes, there are people who appear to have a sexual addiction which is expressed through a variety of behaviors such as the compulsive use of strip clubs, prostitutes, porn sites, etc. but fit the definition of sexual anorexic in that they seem to lack the ability to have a relationship of a sexual nature beyond a paid-for or anonymous experience. Nonetheless, the data for sex addicts and sexual anorexics draw many similarities in terms of family, abuse, and medical history.[1]

Social phobia

Symptoms of sexual anorexia have also been linked to social anxiety and social phobias.[5] A crossover between the two disorders consists of a deep fear of relationship and/or interactions with others, which for a socially anxious individual might manifest in a complete avoidance of all social interaction, including sexual interaction.[6] Sexual anorexics may experience similar symptoms that are perhaps isolated to their sexual interactions, or the two conditions may be co-morbid.[6]

History of the term
Nathan Hare

The concept of sexual anorexia was first mentioned by psychologist Nathan Hare in his 1975 dissertation at the California School of Professional Psychology.[2] Ellen Goodman, the nationally syndicated columnist, wrote about psychiatrist Sylvia Kaplan's use of the concept in 1981 and this was noted in the editor's "Notes" in the journal Black Male/Female Relationships.[2] Nathan and Julia Hare's "Sexual Anorexia" in Crisis in Black Sexual Politics was published in 1989.[7]

The term was widely popularized in psychologist Patrick Carnes' book Sexual Anorexia: Overcoming Sexual Self-Hatred,[8] published in 1997.[9] More recently, Julia Hare has used it in the book The Sexual and Political Anorexia of the Black Woman in June 2008.[10]

Symptoms

One of the main symptoms of the sexual anorexic is a lack of sexual desire. Fear or avoidance of sexual activity is also a characteristic of sexual anorexia - a sexual anorexic may want to or be willing to have sex, but not be able to proceed when faced with a sexual encounter due to fear or anxiety.[11]

Other symptoms of sexual anorexia may include: a preoccupation, sometimes to the point of obsession, with sexual matters, an uncontrollable avoidance of sex, shame regarding sexual experiences, and negative attitudes about sexual activity or body image.[12]

Causes

There are many potential factors which can result in an avoidance of sexual intimacy. Physical problems resulting from exhaustion, hormone imbalances, medication use, and emotional complications resulting from rape, sexual abuse, problems with communication, or power imbalances between partners can cause sexual anorexia. Sexual anorexia can affect both men and women.

History of sexual abuse

Among the most well-documented cases of sexual anorexia are those linked to sexual assault (especially assault which occurs in childhood) and unhealthy body images.[13][14] A strong feeling of aversion toward sex may be a response to earlier trauma or abuse.[11]

Medication use

The use of certain medications, such as antidepressants, may also contribute to a loss of libido or sexual dysfunction, thus resulting in an aversion to sexual activities.[15]

Treatment

Sexual anorexics may be able to be treated by healthcare professionals, sex therapists, or mental health counselors.[12]

Treatment may be aimed at helping the person see where their fears lie and to see the world in less black and white terms, and the patient may be encouraged to take calculated risks with social activities. The goals for both sex addicts and sexual anorexics is to learn to have a healthy relationship with sex, get emotional needs met in direct ways, and set healthy boundaries. This is an issue that requires ongoing treatment in planned stages with the end goal of autonomy, independence, and improved social relationships.[16]

See also

References
  1. Carnes, Patrick J. (October 1998). "The case for sexual anorexia: An interim report on 144 patients with sexual disorders". Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity. 5 (4): 293–309. doi:10.1080/10720169808402338. ISSN 1072-0162.
  2. Hare, Nathan (1975). Black Male-Female Relations (PhD thesis). California School of Professional Psychology. ProQuest 302740553.
  3. American Psychiatric Association (2013-05-22). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth ed.). American Psychiatric Association. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596. ISBN 978-0-89042-555-8.
  4. Hardman, Randy K.; Gardner, David J. (June 1986). "Sexual Anorexia: A Look at Inhibited Sexual Desire". Journal of Sex Education and Therapy. 12 (1): 55–59. doi:10.1080/01614576.1986.11074863. ISSN 0161-4576.
  5. Evans, L.; Wertheim, E.H. (March 1998). "Intimacy patterns and relationship satisfaction of women with eating problems and the mediating effects of depression, trait anxiety and social anxiety". Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 44 (3–4): 355–365. doi:10.1016/S0022-3999(97)00260-2. PMID 9587879.
  6. Bodinger, Liron; Hermesh, Haggai; Aizenberg, Dov; Valevski, Avi; Marom, Sofi; Shiloh, Roni; Gothelf, Doron; Zemishlany, Zvi; Weizman, Abraham (2002-10-15). "Sexual Function and Behavior in Social Phobia". The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 63 (10): 874–879. doi:10.4088/JCP.v63n1004. ISSN 0160-6689. PMID 12416596. S2CID 26802718.
  7. Hare, Nathan; Hare, Julia (1989). "Sexual Anorexia". Crisis in Black sexual politics. San Francisco, CA: Black Think Tank. pp. 137–140. ISBN 0961308621. OCLC 19684134.
  8. Carnes, Patrick (1997). Sexual anorexia: overcoming sexual self-hatred. Moriarity, Joseph. Center City, Minn.: Hazelden. ISBN 0585318654. OCLC 45732339.
  9. "The Devastating Pain of 'Sexual Anorexics'". Psychology Today. Retrieved 2019-08-06.
  10. Hare, Julia (2008). The sexual and political anorexia of the Black woman. San Francisco, CA: Black Think Tank Books. ISBN 9780981799902. OCLC 430056152.
  11. Ramage, Margaret (2006-03-01). "Female sexual dysfunction". Women's Health Medicine. Women's Mental Health. 3 (2): 84–88. doi:10.1383/wohm.2006.3.2.84. ISSN 1744-1870.
  12. "Sexual anorexia: Symptoms, treatment, causes, and more". Medical News Today. 2022-06-21. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
  13. Labadie, Chloé; Godbout, Natacha; Vaillancourt-Morel, Marie-Pier; Sabourin, Stéphane (2018-05-19). "Adult Profiles of Child Sexual Abuse Survivors: Attachment Insecurity, Sexual Compulsivity, and Sexual Avoidance". Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy. 44 (4): 354–369. doi:10.1080/0092623X.2017.1405302. ISSN 0092-623X. PMID 29140759. S2CID 46768883.
  14. La Rocque, Cherie; Cioe, Jan (July 2011). "An Evaluation of the Relationship between Body Image and Sexual Avoidance". Journal of Sex Research. 48 (4): 397–408. doi:10.1080/00224499.2010.499522. ISSN 0022-4499. PMID 20672216. S2CID 22515460.
  15. Higgins, Agnes; Nash, Michael; Lynch, Aileen M. (2010-09-09). "Antidepressant-associated sexual dysfunction: impact, effects, and treatment". Drug, Healthcare and Patient Safety. 2: 141–150. doi:10.2147/DHPS.S7634. PMC 3108697. PMID 21701626.
  16. Parker, Jan; Guest, Diana (January 2003). "Individualized Sexual Addiction Treatment: A Developmental Perspective". Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity. 10 (1): 13–22. doi:10.1080/10720160309044. ISSN 1072-0162. S2CID 144978815.

Further reading
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