User:Danielletjm2001/Sexual anorexia

Sexual anorexia is a term coined in 1975 by psychologist Nathan Hare 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 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, 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 Dr. 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 which is expressed through a variety of behaviors such as the compulsive use of strip clubs, prostitutes, porn 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 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. 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' s 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 such as resulting from exhaustion, hormone imbalances, medication use, and emotional problems complications resulting from such as rape, sexual abuse, communication problems, and or power imbalances between partners can cause sexual anorexia. Among the most well-documented and perhaps severe cases are those linked to sexual assault (especially assault which occurs in childhood) and unhealthy body images. Sexual anorexia can affect both men and women.

History of sexual abuse
Among the most well-documented and perhaps severe 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 or sexual dysfunction, thus resulting in an aversion to sexual activities. '''

Treatment
A sex addict is more likely to be capable of being in a more intimate relationship and is often married or in a committed relationship when deciding to get treatment for their addiction. A sexual anorexic may have a social phobia or be so fragile emotionally that the risk of rejection or criticism is far more frightening than being isolated. A link to narcissism, sexual anorexia, and sexual addiction has been discussed by researchers who propose that the two disorders share an inflated sense of self. Sexual anorectics may find themselves more prone to social anxiety and fear of intimacy than others who possess narcissistic tendencies, and may also present with a more fragile sense of self-worth than the sexual addict.

Sexual anorexia may be able to be treated by healthcare professionals, sex therapists, or 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. and distorted thinking may be gently challenged with facts and reality. 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 to 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.

More Edits (Final Edits):
Added image, embedded links, added three(?) new citations, added three more "See also" links (sexual addiction, libido, sex therapy)

Removed unnecessary or biased language, corrected grammar.

Added new sections, like "Symptoms," "History of sexual abuse," and "Medication use."

Response to Peer Review
Thank you for your peer reviews! I agree with everything that has been said and I am planning on making edits accordingly. I definitely plan to remove half of the "Treatment" section because I definitely agree that it could be considered condescending. I also plan to edit the references, especially where Wikipedia says there is an unreliable source, because the source itself seems extremely biased. I don't think there are any parts of the peer reviews that I disagreed with, but the only parts that I haven't adjusted yet are the citations, because I feel like there is a lot more work and research to be done in terms of the references, and I will have to find newer and more reliable sources as I go. I believe that Bri said that she put her peer reviews in the wrong place and was going to fix them, so I still am not able to see hers and therefore cannot comment on it yet.

Instructor Feedback

''I have little in the way of feedback based on these initial contributions. I think you have done a nice job with your initial edits where you have removed extraneous language and uncited facts. I am curious to know how you plan to further develop your article? I encourage you to review the assignment rubric and ensure you are planning for all areas in the assignment. Additionally, ensure you are including at least two examples of peer-reviewed secondary literature published in the last 10 years.''