Contrasting Nonparaphilic Sexual Addictions and OCD

One group of behaviors typically included in the proposed obsessive-compulsive (OC) spectrum is the “nonparaphilic sexual addictions” (NPSAs; Goldsmith, Shapira, Phillips, & McElroy, 1998; Hollander &Wong, 1995), which are sometimes referred to as sexual compulsions. Nonparaphilic sexual addictions are defined as “repetitive sexual acts involving conventional, normative, or nondeviant sexual thoughts or behaviors that the person feels compelled or driven to perform, which may or may not cause distress (Goldsmith et al., 1998).” Nonparaphilic sexual addictions are not formally described in theDSM; however, a diagnosis of impulse-control disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) may be given if a person with this behavioral pattern experiences an interference in functioning (eg, relationships, work, etc) for at least six months.