Internet Sex Addiction – A New Distinct Disorder

Previous studies have shown differences in clinical features of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) between men and women, including mean age at onset of obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS), types of OCS, comorbid disorders, course, and prognosis. The aim of this study was to compare male and female patients with OCD on several demographic and clinical characteristics. All new patients with OCD (ICD 10, criteria) who sought treatment at the OCD clinic were evaluated. The assessment instruments used were the semi structured pro forma especially designed for the study, Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale and check list to evaluate OCD severity and symptoms, and a semi structured interview along with standard mental-state examination. Forty seven percent of the patients (n = 31) were males. They had significantly earlier age at onset of OCD and were less likely to be married. They presented significantly more sexual obsessions and females with significantly more contamination obsessions and cleaning and checking compulsions. With regards to comorbidity, we did not find any differences in the frequency of co morbid psychiatric disorders between male and female patients with OCD. No significant differences were observed between sexes concerning family history of OCS or OCD, and global symptoms severity, either in obsession or compulsive subscale or insight point. The present study confirms the presence of sex-related differences described in other countries and cultures. The fact that the OCS starts earlier and probably have a worse impact in men can eventually lead to more specific and efficacious treatment approaches for these patients.