Sexual Addiction in Association with Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder

A case of hypersexual behavior occurring in association with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is described. This patient had non–paraphilic heterosexual multiple partner behavior or sexual addiction. The patient also exhibited nonsexual obsessions and compulsions diagnostic of obsessive-compulsive disorder. The case is presented for its clinical interest, because sexual addiction is rare especially in association with OCD. Another interesting observation from this case was that the symptom of increased sexual behavior in our patient was found to distinctly different from the OC symptoms from psychopathological perspective. We intend to highlight the fact that hypersexual behavior in OCD patients need not necessarily be obsessive-compulsive in nature and as such there is a strong case for considering hypersexual behavior as a separate diagnostic entity in future classificatory systems (German J Psychiatry 2010; 13(4): 171174).