The construct of sexual addiction and its relation to forensic psychiatry

The construct of sexual addiction is still of great importance for forensic psychiatry in German-speaking countries. The aim of this article is to examine the concept in relation to the forensic psychiatric topic in more detail. Given the different historical developments in German and Anglo-American countries, definitions of hypersexuality as opposed to diagnostic categories and etiological considerations are presented. A central topic for forensic psychiatry is in the context of the assessment of self-control and criminal responsibility as well as a dynamic risk factor and thus also as a target for therapy. Finally, problem areas of the construct are discussed.