Sexual anorexia is a term coined in 1975 by psychologist

Nathan Hare Nathaniel Hare (April 9, 1933 – June 10, 2024) was an American sociologist, activist, academic, and psychologist. In 1968 he was the first person hired to coordinate a Black studies program in the United States. He established the program at S ...

to describe a fear of or deep aversion to sexual activity. It is considered a loss of "appetite" for sexual contact, and may result in a

fear of intimacy Fear of intimacy is generally a social phobia and anxiety disorder resulting in difficulty forming close relationships with another person. The term can also refer to a scale on a psychometric test, or a type of adult in attachment theory psychol ...

or an aversion to any type of sexual interaction. The term largely exists in a colloquial sense and is not presently classified as a disorder in the '' Diagnostic Statistical Manual''. In comparing sexual anorexia to

anorexia nervosa Anorexia nervosa (AN), often referred to simply as anorexia, is an eating disorder characterized by Calorie restriction, food restriction, body image disturbance, fear of gaining weight, and an overpowering desire to be thin. Individuals wit ...

, some psychologists suggest that the two disorders share four main characteristics: control, fear, anger, and justification.

Empirical data

Very few studies have been conducted to investigate the specific diagnostic patterns or criteria regarding sexual anorexia. However, one study conducted by Patrick Carnes found that many of his patients diagnosed with sexual anorexia also had a history of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, other compulsive or addictive problems such as substance abuse, or a family history of addiction. However, only early treatment data was used, and the sample size was very limited.

Sexual addiction

In the view of some practitioners, corroborating the work of Patrick Carnes, there are people who appear to have a

sexual addiction Sexual addiction is a state characterized by compulsive participation or engagement in sexual activity, particularly sexual intercourse, despite negative consequences. The concept is contentious; sexual addiction is not a clinical diagnosis in ...

which is expressed through a variety of behaviors such as the compulsive use of

strip club A strip club (also known as a strip joint, striptease bar, peeler bar, gentlemen's club, among others) is a venue where strippers provide adult entertainment, predominantly in the form of striptease and other erotic dances including lap dances. St ...

prostitutes Prostitution is a type of sex work that involves engaging in sexual activity in exchange for payment. The definition of "sexual activity" varies, and is often defined as an activity requiring physical contact (e.g., sexual intercourse, non-p ...

porn Pornography (colloquially called porn or porno) is sexually suggestive material, such as a picture, video, text, or audio, intended for sexual arousal. Made for consumption by adults, pornographic depictions have evolved from cave paintings ...

sites, etc. but fit the definition of sexual anorexic in that they seem to lack the ability to have a relationship of a sexual nature beyond a paid-for or anonymous experience. Nonetheless, the data for sex addicts and sexual anorexics draw many similarities in terms of family, abuse, and medical history.

Social phobia

Symptoms of sexual anorexia have also been linked to

social anxiety Social anxiety is the anxiety and fear specifically linked to being in social settings (i.e., interacting with others). Some categories of disorders associated with social anxiety include anxiety disorders, mood disorders, autism spectrum dis ...

and social phobias. A crossover between the two disorders consists of a deep fear of relationship and/or interactions with others, which for a socially anxious individual might manifest in a complete avoidance of all social interaction, including sexual interaction. Sexual anorexics may experience similar symptoms that are perhaps isolated to their sexual interactions, or the two conditions may be co-morbid.

History of the term

The concept of sexual anorexia was first mentioned by psychologist Nathan Hare in his 1975 dissertation at the

California School of Professional Psychology The California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) was founded in 1969 by the California Psychological Association. It is part of the for-profit Alliant International University where each campus's Clinical Psychology Psy.D. and Ph.D. pr ...

. Ellen Goodman, the nationally syndicated columnist, wrote about psychiatrist Sylvia Kaplan's use of the concept in 1981 and this was noted in the editor's "Notes" in the journal ''Black Male/Female Relationships''. Nathan and Julia Hare's "Sexual Anorexia" in ''Crisis in Black Sexual Politics'' was published in 1989. The term was widely popularized in psychologist Patrick Carnes' book ''Sexual Anorexia: Overcoming Sexual Self-Hatred'', published in 1997. More recently, Julia Hare has used it in the book ''The Sexual and Political Anorexia of the Black Woman'' in June 2008.

Symptoms

One of the main symptoms of the sexual anorexic is a lack of sexual desire. Fear or avoidance of sexual activity is also a characteristic of sexual anorexia - a sexual anorexic may want to or be willing to have sex, but not be able to proceed when faced with a sexual encounter due to fear or anxiety. Other symptoms of sexual anorexia may include: a preoccupation, sometimes to the point of obsession, with sexual matters, an uncontrollable avoidance of sex, shame regarding sexual experiences, and negative attitudes about sexual activity or body image.

Causes

There are many potential factors which can result in an avoidance of sexual intimacy. Physical problems resulting from exhaustion, hormone imbalances, medication use, and emotional complications resulting from rape, sexual abuse, problems with communication, or power imbalances between partners can cause sexual anorexia. Sexual anorexia can affect both men and women.

History of sexual abuse

Among the most well-documented cases of sexual anorexia are those linked to sexual assault (especially assault which occurs in childhood) and unhealthy body images. A strong feeling of aversion toward sex may be a response to earlier trauma or abuse.

Medication use

The use of certain medications, such as antidepressants, may also contribute to a loss of

libido In psychology, libido (; ) is psychic drive or energy, usually conceived of as sexual in nature, but sometimes conceived of as including other forms of desire. The term ''libido'' was originally developed by Sigmund Freud, the pioneering origin ...

sexual dysfunction Sexual dysfunction is difficulty experienced by an individual or partners during any stage of normal sexual activity, including physical pleasure, desire, preference, arousal, or orgasm. The World Health Organization defines sexual dysfunction ...

, thus resulting in an aversion to sexual activities.

Treatment

Sexual anorexics may be able to be treated by healthcare professionals, sex therapists, or mental health counselors. Treatment may be aimed at helping the person see where their fears lie and to see the world in less black and white terms, and the patient may be encouraged to take calculated risks with social activities. The goals for both sex addicts and sexual anorexics is to learn to have a healthy relationship with sex, get emotional needs met in direct ways, and set healthy boundaries. This is an issue that requires ongoing treatment in planned stages with the end goal of autonomy, independence, and improved social relationships.