Description

The Sexual Addiction Assessment (SAA) is a diagnostic tool designed to detect and measure sexual addiction. Sexual addiction, also known as hypersexual disorder, is characterized by uncontrolled and repetitive sexual behaviors that may negatively affect an individual’s personal, professional, and social life. This tool helps health professionals identify symptoms and assess the severity of the disorder.

Analysis

The Sexual Addiction Assessment includes various questions that cover the following aspects:
Frequency and Intensity of Behavior: Questions about how often and with what intensity the individual engages in sexual activities.
Loss of Control: Questions that evaluate the inability of the individual to control or reduce their sexual behavior despite negative consequences.
Consequences of Behavior: Recording the negative impacts of sexual behavior on the person’s personal, professional, and social life.
Psychological State: Assessment of emotional and psychological conditions related to sexual behavior, such as guilt, shame, and depression.
Use of Sexual Behavior as a Means of Escape: Questions examining whether the individual uses sexual behavior to escape from problems or cope with stress and tension.

Purpose

The main objectives of the Sexual Addiction Assessment are:
Detection of Sexual Addiction: To help in the early identification of symptoms of sexual addiction.
Assessment of Severity: To measure the severity of the disorder and understand its impact on the individual’s life.
Guidance for Therapeutic Interventions: To provide data for the development and adaptation of personalized therapeutic interventions.
Monitoring Progress: To be used for tracking the individual’s progress during treatment or intervention.

Scoring

The scoring of the Sexual Addiction Assessment is based on the individual’s responses to each question, which are rated on a Likert scale (e.g., from Never to Always). The total score is derived from the sum of responses and is used to categorize the severity of the disorder. Categories may include:
Mild Signs of Addiction: Low total score, indicating mild signs of sexual addiction.
Moderate Signs of Addiction: Moderate total score, indicating significant but manageable signs.
Severe Signs of Addiction: High total score, indicating serious problems and a possible need for professional intervention.

References

Carnes, P. J. Out of the Shadows: Understanding Sexual Addiction. Hazelden Publishing. 2001.
Kafka, M. P. Hypersexual disorder: A proposed diagnosis for DSM-V. Archives of Sexual Behavior. 2010; 39(2): 377–400.
Goodman, A. Sexual Addiction: An Integrated Approach. International Journal of Psychotherapy. 1998; 3(2): 145–157.
Coleman, E. Sexual Compulsivity: Definition, Etiology, and Treatment Considerations. Journal of Chemical Dependency Treatment. 1992; 5(1): 189–204.