ized psychological behavior. An absence of sexual activity may be attributable to a sexual disorder (Sadock, 1989, pp. 1050 1051).
A hypoactive sexual desire disorder is characterized by "persistently or recurrently deficient or absent sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity" (American Psychiatric Association, 1987, p. 124). Thus, Anna Freud's abstinence from physical sexual activity could have been attributable to a hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
A sexual aversion disorder is characterized by a "persistent or recurrent aversion to, and avoidance of, all or almost all, genital contact with a sexual partner" (American Psychiatric Association, 1987, p. 126). Where a hypoactive sexual desire disorder reflects an absence of sexual desire, a sexual aversion disorder reflects a perception of physical sexual activity with another person as being repugnant (Sadock, 1989, p. 1050). Thus, Anna Freud's abstinence from physical sexual activity also could have been attributable to a sexual aversion disorder.
Sexual abstinence also may result through the functioning of personality defenses (Wong, 1989, pp. 372 377). Repression, a neurotic defense, causes an idea or a feeling to be expelled or withheld (Wong, 1989, p. 376). Primary repression blocks ideas and feelings before they attain consciousness, while secondary repression excludes from awareness that which was once experienced. Anna Freud's sexual abstinence could be attributable to a form of repression.
Asceticism, a mature defense, eliminates the pleasurable effects of experience (Wong, 1989, p. 376). An ascetic derives gratification from the act of renunciation. Asceticism is found among both religious fanatics and religious orders whose members are commanded to abstain from sexual activity (Freud, 1966, p. 153). Asceticism, too, could be the underlying cause of Anna Freud's sexual abstinence.
Anna Freud's (1966, pp. 123 124) lifelong abstinence of ...