Christopher Beam in Slate:
A recent article on Hillary Clinton’s political engine-revving mentioned that her husband, Bill, has received “counseling for a sex addiction.” How do you cure a nymphomaniac?
The same way you’d cure any kind of addict: with counseling, group therapy, and, in some cases, medication. You won’t find an entry for “sexual addiction” in DSM-IV, the standard manual of mental disorders. In fact, there’s some controversy as to whether “addiction” is the best terminology for what might just be a naturally heightened sex drive. But many doctors discuss it in the same terms as a chemical dependency: Like drug addicts, sex junkies exhibit escalating behavior, withdrawal symptoms, and an inability to stop despite adverse consequences. Self-deceptive thinking and denial (e.g., “I did not have sexual relations with that woman“) may play a role, often accompanied by feelings of shame. Having lots of sex isn’t the only symptom. Looking at lots of porn also counts, as does acting out with anonymous partners, or excessive masturbation. (Sound familiar? Find out if you’re a sex addict here.)
More here.