"I don't treat sex addiction. The concept is superficial. It isn't clearly defined or clinically validated, and it's completely pathology-oriented. It presents no healthy model of non-monogamy, pornography use, or stuff like S/M. Some programs eliminate masturbation, which is inhumane, naive, and crazy ... What I mostly see instead of "sex addicts" is people who are neurotic or narcissistic. They can't quite believe that the normal rules of life ("tell the truth," "all behavior has consequences") apply to them."
Source: Marty Klein, PhD. "An Epidemic of 'Sex Addiction'?" PsychologyToday.com. 4/02/2010."What I do know is that, after 30 years as a psychotherapist and sex therapist, I've never seen a sex addict. I've seen people who were obsessive-compulsive, bi-polar, depressed, anxious, or borderline. I've seen people who were selfish or unconsciously enraged; who lacked empathy, who hated their spouse, or who specifically didn't want a divorce but were withering from the lack of touching. And yes, I've seen men and women who were scathingly self-critical about their sexual choices, and kept right on making the same damn choices. But calling any of them "sex addicts" deprives them of a proper diagnosis and psychologically profound treatment. It focuses on the surface symptom-sexual behavior -- while ignoring possible deeper dynamics."
Source: Marty Klein, PhD. "Our Addiction to Tiger Woods' 'Sex Addiction.'" PsychologyToday.com. 2/20/2010.
Klein advises patients to tell the truth, share their concern and desire for change, accept their responsibility in causing pain, and express regret. We would add stop cheating to the list of what to do when caught cheating.
Sex Addiction -- A Bogus Concept originally appeared on About.com Marriage on Saturday, April 3rd, 2010 at 02:26:14.
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