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sexual aversion disorder

in DSM–IV–TR, negative emotional reactions (e.g., anxiety, fear, disgust) to sexual activity, leading to active avoidance of it and causing distress in the individual or his or her partner. This can be lifelong or acquired, and although it usually applies to all sexual activity (generalized type), it may be specific to some activities or some partners (situational type). This aversion is not caused by a medical condition, a medication, or a drug side effect. DSM–5 has eliminated this diagnosis with the explanation that it is rarely used and not supported by research.

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Psychology term of the day

January 2nd 2025

transduction

transduction

n. the process by which one form of energy is converted into another. The term denotes sensory transduction in particular, the transformation of the energy of a stimulus into a change in the electric potential across the membrane of a receptor cell. See olfactory transduction; taste transduction; visual transduction.