International Handbook of Clinical Hypnosis - E-Lib FK UWKS

TREATMENT OF SEXUAL DYSFUNCTIONS 245
TREATMENT OF FEMALE ORGASMIC DISORDER
Female orgasmic disorders involving delayed or absence of orgasm are frequently
presenting clinical problems. Thorough evaluation of the onset, development and
course of the disorder, psycho-sexual history, medical, psychiatric and psychological
features of the patient are required to reveal the often multifactorial aetiology.
Medication, other drug and alcohol use history also requires evaluation. Sexual
behavior and the quality of the relationship are important considerations in
evaluating these disorders.
Other parameters of evaluation and treatment are similar to those in retarded
orgasmic responses in the male.
POST- SEXUAL DISTRESS
A small number of patients present with post-sexual guilt, fears or depression.
These phenomena are seldom considered speci®cally a sexual disorder, but rather a
disorder of functioning that has a sexual focus. Self-condemnation over sexual
feelings or activities often represents an overly obsessive, anxiety-prone personality
with a speci®c sexual focus. An overly restrictive family background with negative
attitudes to sexuality or strict moral or religious restrictions on sexuality are often
involved. The nature of this disorder needs to be considered in terms of the sociocultural
and religious background of the patient involved. Early up-bringing and
familial attitudes to sexuality are the most likely causes of this disorder
CONCLUSION
Hypnosis assists in the treatment of a wide range of sexual dysfunctions and brings
speci®c techniques not available to the non-hypnotically trained sex therapist. It is
regrettable that the use of the hypnotic approaches is not more widely accepted
within the therapies of sexual dysfunction.
REFERENCES
American Psychiatric Association 1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders 4th edn) DSM-IV) Washington DC: APA.
Araoz, D. L. 1982). Hypnosis and Sex Therapy. New York: Brunner/Mazel.
Araoz, D. L. 1998). The New Hypnosis in Sex Therapy:Cognitive-Behavioral Methods for
Clinicians. New Jersey: Aronson.
Brown, D. P. & Fromm, E. 1987). Hypnosis and Behavioural Medicine. Hillsdale, NJ:
Lawrence Erlbaum.