Hypoactive Sexual Desire in a Couple With Unresolved Loyalty Conflicts

Abstract

Most often, sex therapists are used to seeing one partner with low sexual desire, along with his or her disgruntled mate. However, this couple accused one another of having low sexual desire. While the wife admitted her desire problem, she primarily blamed her husband's lack of passion for her decreased libido. The husband denied that he has low sexual desire for his wife. He claimed that he is extremely attracted to her, and that she continues to reject him. The treatment model integrated psychoanalytic conflict theory and psychodynamic systems theory. The hypothesis was that underlying loyalty conflicts emanating from each partner's family of origin have been primarily responsible for the couple's sexual symptoms, and therefore must be resolved in order to help the couple achieve a healthier sex life. Following 5 years of treatment, the couple did become closer and less volatile. They have also achieved great financial success. However, their sex life has not prospered to the couple's satisfaction; thus they have decided to continue treatment.