Loss of sexual interest and negative states of mind

• Published in: Sex, Mind, and Emotion pp. 273 - 286
• Main Author: Hiller, Janice
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 2006
• Edition: 1
• Subjects: Current Partnership; Partner’s Avoidance; Intimate Couple Relationships; NHS Clinic; Therapeutic Approach; Intimate Relationship; Absent Desire; Sexual Interest; OSA; Object Relations Framework; Target Problem Procedures; Women’s Emotional Responses; Incorporates Object Relations; Premenstrual Tension; Couple Dynamics; Mother’s Predicament; Physical Contact; Behavioural Systems Framework; Sexual Response Cycle; Sexual Withdrawal; Contact; Psychosexual Therapy; HIV Positive Adolescent; Female Sexual Expression; Orgasmic Phases
• ISBN: 9781855753495; 1855753499
• DOI: 10.4324/9780429479984-12

Sexual activity between people creates an emotional and physical bond that provides a foundation for connectedness in intimate couple relationships. Most loving adult partnerships contain an element of attraction and pleasure from physical contact, although the extent and the importance of these will vary greatly. The concept of 'disorders of sexual desire' was added by Kaplan (1979, 1995) to Masters and Johnson's (1970) original classification of sexual problems, which addressed difficulties in the arousal and orgasmic phases of the sexual response cycle. Clinical work indicates that both sexes tend to be equally unaware of the cause of their sexual disinterest, but there are gender differences in how this impacts on a sense of self and other. This chapter provides examples which are compilations of psychosexual therapy cases in an NHS clinic, selected to illustrate the relevance of exploring negative states of mind as part of an approach with either individuals or couples.