Sex addiction and dissociation

Authors:
  • EGEric Griffin-Shelley
    Eric Griffin-Shelley
  • LBLynn Benjamin
    Lynn Benjamin
  • RBRobert Benjamin
    Robert Benjamin
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Abstract
The presence of dissociation in sex addicts was hypothesized by the authors based on clinical experience. Families and friends of sex addicts commonly refer to their “Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde” personalities. The Structured Clinical Interview for Dissociative Disorders was used to survey 31 inpatient self-identified sex addicts who were in treatment in the addictions services track of a trauma program. Two-thirds of those interviewed were identified as having a dissociative disorder: 10 (32.26%) had Dissociative Identity Disorder, another 10 (32.26%) had Dissociative Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, and one (3.23%) had Depersonalization Disorder. The results suggest the need for careful assessment of sex-addicted clients as well as the necessity for appropriate treatment strategies that address both the addiction(s) and the dissociative disorder.

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