ABSTRACT
Diagnosis of sexual dysfunctions may seem straightforward in that clients may describe difficulties that are clearly matters of desire or clearly an issue of orgasm. However, diagnosis is never quite as straightforward as it appears. Even in cases like erectile dysfunction, understanding how the problem occurred (etiology) is just as important as discerning what is happening (the differential diagnosis). A multiaxial diagnosis that incorporates the individual-both mind and body-as well as the interpersonal and contextual is crucial to the treatment of sexual dysfunctions from the Intersystems perspective. This chapter begins with a review of the diagnostic criteria for sexual dysfunctions as outlined by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition text revision (DSM-IV-TR), with etiology and risk factors outlined. Next, we present limitations of and debates surrounding the DSM categories as a way to guide clinicians through the complexities of diagnosis. Last, we explain how to provide a multiaxial diagnosis of sexual dysfunction, providing a platform for diagnoses using the Intersystems framework.
