Sexually Compulsive Behavior: Hypersexuality (Psychiatric Clinics of North America, Vol. 31, No. 4)

This issue is one of the first to bring together some of the most outstanding specialists in the field of what some are now calling hypersexual behaviors, to share theoretically based research and to try to work through the related conceptual issues. In doing so, various authors have considered developmental (Schwartz), epidemiologic (Kuzma and Black), sexual arousal (Abel, Coffey, & Osborn), conceptual (Bancroft), biologic (Berlin), and pharmacologic (Codispodi) issues related to the concept of human hypersexuality. At the same time potentially new syndromes related to women (Turner), adolescents (Gerber), or dissociative clients (Ross) have been introduced. The use of computers for sexual purposes, with a special emphasis on treatment (Marshall and colleagues) has also been reviewed.The intended result has been an integration of the current state of this young field, designed to help guide clinicians through the often bewildering and baffling maze of these difficult-to-treat conditions. The bases of sexual desire and arousal, and of normal and pathologic sexual behaviors have been explored in depth. Special consideration has been given to trying to clarify the current mixed diagnostic plethora of terms (such as impulsive, compulsive, dissociative, addictive, hypersexual, and intimacy - and attachment-related disorders).