Sexual Addiction: A Missed Diagnosis

Abstract

Abstract Sex is an integral part of human behavior but what constitutes healthy versus pathological sexual behavior can vastly differ between individuals and remains a topic of wide debate. What is not debatable is that for some individuals, sexual behavior becomes highly problematic leading to clinically significant impairment and distress, and follows a pattern similar to many well-established addictive disorders. Because sexual addiction is not classified as a mental disorder in the DSM-5, recognition and treatment of this condition is often overlooked by clinicians and can lead to poor outcomes. This case describes the progression of a patient with an undiagnosed sexual addiction and illustrates the transformative effect of recognizing and treating individuals who suffer from this condition. A brief discussion provides a practical review of the diagnostic dilemmas and treatment options for sexual addiction.