Theory and praxis: A heuristic for describing, evaluating, and intervening on sexual desire disorders when sexual expression interferes with humanistic expression

Abstract

This article reports on both an abridgment of my comprehensive theory on sexual desire and the results of my related study. This research develops a functional theory which deconstructs sexual desire to include two conceptually meaningful variables which comprise a person's “bifurcated love map”: an emotional disposition toward fantasy and an emotional disposition toward interpersonal relationships. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between objectified, i.e., depersonalized, sexual fantasies and interpersonal attachments, specifically investigating the “personal bias” held toward objectified fantasies among people with chronic hypersexuality, e.g., sexual addiction/compulsiv-ity and the internal working models these persons hold toward “comfortable interpersonal attachments.” A quantitative analysis suggests that 22 (N = 22) self-identified sexual addicts were able to reduce the power of their objectified fantasies and increase their “underdeveloped” sense comfort with interpersonal relationships by experiencing imagery restructuring exercises in the form of guided imageries. A thorough analysis of the data allowed for the emergence of an axiom associated with the two relevant variables: As comfort toward interpersonal relationships increases, the negative power of objectified fantasies is diminished. This study is of special significance as it provides a pragmatic model which is able to link praxis with theory. This article concludes with recommendations to clinicians who treat self-identified sexual addicts and recommendations for future research.