What do you make of the criticisms of sex therapy by Thomas Szasz and others,

Thomas Szasz and others have argued that sexual dysfunction is an arbitrary social creation. (Lhemiller, 2017) But is it really? How can someone justify another individuals’ feelings or disabilities that may be a connecting factor to why sex is painful or not pleasant for them. I have a strong believe that sometimes while your brain may want the physical connection with your partner your body may not. I know someone who had a difficult time with sex. It’s not that they didn’t enjoy it, but there wasn’t a connect there with the other person. Of course aside from the chemistry side of things diseases definitely play a major role of dysfunctions as does an individual’s past. I don’t think we can truly make judgment without knowing those things about a person. Who’s to say that the dysfunction isn’t just a lack of interest? I suffered from depression and was put on an antidepressant a few years ago and I can attest that antidepressants most definitely cause a decrease in sex drive. I suppose that unless someone has experience dysfunctions and the humility that comes with it, it can cause one to argue that it isn’t real and therefore doesn’t exist.

(2017). Sexual Dysfunction and Sex Therapy . In The Psychology of Human Sexuality, Chapter 13 Document posted in University of Maryland Global Campus PSYC 332 E250 online, archived at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/umuc/reader.action?docID=5106984&ppg=368

CLASSMATE 2:

According to Lehmiller (2017), Psychiatrists like Thomas Szasz believe that sexual dysfunction is more of social creation (p.352). In other words, what some individuals view as sexual dysfunction may not be considered a sexual dysfunction by others. Every individual indeed has his or her opinion on what constitutes normal or abnormal sexual behavior. However, I believe that there are some sexual attitudes and behaviors that are clear disorders. While reading this week’s material, I learned about several sexual dysfunction disorder that makes it hard for me to believe sexual dysfunction is created by society. The main ones that come to mind are those sexual disorders that cause pain to the individual. Lehmiller (2017) talks about a sexual dysfunction called Phimosis. He explains that this condition affects men in which an uncircumcised man’s foreskin is too tight and makes erections painful (p.347). In this case, I believe that it is a definite disorder because it is physically apparent that it causes great pain to the individual. Unless he gets treated, then he will always have unpleasant sexual intercourse. The same goes for women who have vaginismus. Lehmiller (2017) states that women with this disorder experience sudden and severe contractions in the lower third of the vagina at any attempt at vaginal penetration (p.348). I believe that these disorders are very real, and the individual needs professional outside help and treatment. Whether these problems are an actual physical condition or stem from traumatizing past experiences, they prevent them from having a satisfying sex life. I agree that other dysfunctions like compulsive sexual behavior can be a little more difficult to classify as a sexual dysfunction because there is no right answer to how much or often someone should have sex. However, I believe, if the individual is admitting that the excessive need to have constant sex is negatively affecting their lives, it should be classified as sexual dysfunction. In most extreme cases, sometimes, those individuals can not fulfill their sexual needs and can end up raping a victim. These disorders cause major distress and concern for many individuals and their partners, so I believe that some sexual attitudes and behaviors should be considered a sexual dysfunction.

(2017). Sexual Dysfunction and Sex Therapy . In The Psychology of Human Sexuality, Chapter 13 (p. 336-362). Document posted in University of Maryland Global Campus PSYC 332 E250 online, archived at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/umuc/reader.action?docID=5106984&ppg=368