Relevance of Hypersexual Disorder to Family Medicine and Primary Care as a Complex Multidimensional Chronic Disease Construct

Abstract

Hypersexual disorder (HD) is not defined in a uniform way in the psychiatric literature. In the absence of solid evidence on prevalence, causes, empirically validated diagnostic criteria, instruments for diagnosis, consistent guidelines on treatment options, medical and psychosocial consequences, and type of caregivers that need to be involved, HD remains a controversial and relatively poorly understood chronic disease construct. The role of family medicine in the detection, treatment, and followup of HD is not well studied. The purpose of this paper is to describe the complexity of HD as a multidimensional chronic disease construct and its relevance to family medicine and primary care.

Hypersexual disorder in general practice

“…These clinicians may already have established a trusting rapport, and so be in a position to support the patient and family during the treatment process. [15] Furthermore, the family practitioner may play a preventive role in identifying patients who may potentially be at risk of developing hypersexual disorder as a result of childhood trauma. [15] The clinical assessment includes a thorough clinical interview eliciting information about the history of the presenting problem, the patient's sexual, medical, psychiatric, substance-use, mental health and psychosocial history, with a particular focus on comorbid anxiety and depression.…”

“…[15] Furthermore, the family practitioner may play a preventive role in identifying patients who may potentially be at risk of developing hypersexual disorder as a result of childhood trauma. [15] The clinical assessment includes a thorough clinical interview eliciting information about the history of the presenting problem, the patient's sexual, medical, psychiatric, substance-use, mental health and psychosocial history, with a particular focus on comorbid anxiety and depression. [2] Additional information from family members and intimate partners may provide valuable collateral information.…”

Relevance of Chronic Lyme Disease to Family Medicine as a Complex Multidimensional Chronic Disease Construct: A Systematic Review

“…The purpose of this paper is to describe the complexity of CLD as a multidimensional chronic disease construct and its relevance to family medicine by means of a systematic literature review. This paper is a second paper in a series on chronic diseases [ 58 ] that focus on complex chronic conditions.…”

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis presenting with hypersexual behavior

“…The hypersexual disorder is classically defined in persons aged above 18 years and is characterized by the recurrent and intense sexual urge irrespective of the situation persisting beyond 6 months. [ 2 ] The disease is usually associated with significant psychiatric ailments and also with central nervous disorders such as stroke, brain injury, and medications. SSPE presenting with hypersexual behavior is uncommon and is rarely reported in the literature.…”