Private Personal And Couples Counselling For Sexual Anorexia in Sydney & Online
WHAT IS SEXUAL ANOREXIA
The word anorexia means “interrupted appetite”. Sexual anorexia is a term describing a behaviour of compulsive sexual intimacy avoidance. Psychologist Nathan Hare first mentioned the concept of sexual anorexia in 1975. Psychiatrist Sylvia Kaplan made use of the concept in 1981, and was published in the editor’s ‘Notes’ in the journal Black Male/Female Relationships. Dr Patrick Carnes, an authority in sex addiction research, published his book ‘Sexual Anorexia’ in 1997.
DEFINING SEXUAL ANOREXIA
Sexual Anorexia, or Sexual Avoidance Disorder (SAD), can be defined as an extreme fear of sexual intimacy. People, who suffer from sexual anorexia, may feel disgust and self-loathing after sex, or may experience irrational fear of sexually transmitted diseases, (STIs). Sexual anorexics, males or females, may engage in self destructive behaviours of either avoiding sexual intimacy altogether, or acting out episodes of sexual promiscuity and sexual avoidance.
WHAT CAUSES SEXUAL ANOREXIA
Sexual anorexia is caused by trauma and dysphoria. People with sexual anorexia long for love and affection like anyone else, but believe they are unworthy of love and therefore cannot trust others to love them. Extreme sexual abstinence and isolation seems the only safe way.
Underlying causes of sexual anorexia may include
- Sexual rape
- Body shaming
- Negative sexual learnings and attitudes
- Strict religious upbringing
- Sexual coercion
- Domestic violence
- Orgasmic difficulties
SEXUAL ANOREXIA – SEXUAL ADDICTION
Sexual anorexia can suddenly flip over to extreme sexual promiscuity and thus filling a gap of harmful sexual deprivation.
Acting out behaviours can vary, and may include
- compulsive masturbation
- pornography binges
- sex dating binges
- paid sex
- swinging
- anonymous sex
- flirtation, grooming, seduction
- multiple sex partner
SEXUAL ANOREXIA INTIMACY DISORDER
Sexual anorexics do not necessarily have an aversion to sex itself, but are mistrustful of intimacy and attachment. Mood swings ranging from fear, disgust, to anger are common when the subject of sex is raised.
Symptoms of sexual anorexia include
- Distortion of thoughts
- Obsessional self-doubt about sexual adequacy
- Distortion of body image
- Obsessive exercising
- Unattractive self-presentation
- Self-destructing sex-avoiding behaviours
- Extreme shame and self-loathing over sexual thoughts and experiences
- Extreme fear of sexually transmitted infections, STIs
- Psychosomatic illness that preclude sexual activity
- Extreme loathing of body functions
- Eliminating anything that could possible stimulate sexual arousal
- In extreme cases – self-mutilating of body parts to make oneself unattractive
- Occasional periods of sexual binging and extreme promiscuity
In addition, sexual anorexics may compensate their lack of sex, love and intimacy with a number of non-sexual compulsive behaviours, such as
- Chemical and alcohol addictions
- Behavioural addictions
- Compulsive shopping
- Compulsive exercise
- Compulsive eating behaviours
- Compulsive cleaning
- Compulsive money behaviours
ENQUIRE HERE OR BOOK A PRIVATE CONSULTATION
You are not alone. Sexual Anorexia and Sexual Avoidance Disorder are fully treatable intimacy problems. Please contact our experienced sex therapist Heide at Sex Addiction Australia for further information or booking a confidential consultation Book Or Enquire Online or call during office hours (+61) 02 9380 4486 or email info@sexaddictionaustralia.com.au