Creating a Definition for Sex Addiction That Will Withstand Scrutiny

Sex addiction — sometimes identified as compulsive sexual behavior or the outdated and stigmatizing condition called nymphomania — is a dysfunctional, uncontrolled pattern of sex-related thoughts and actions that purportedly diminish an individual’s mental health and ability to participate fruitfully in everyday life. Currently, there is no single, accepted definition for this form of addiction and doctors can’t diagnose its presence under generally accepted guidelines. In a study review published in 2013 in the journal Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, researchers from three U.S. universities examined the evidence for sex addiction and identified some of the important steps in creating a workable definition for the condition.