This archive report was first published on 6 June 2020.
Dr. Mark, a successful doctor in his mid-thirties, had been struggling with a secret for eight months. He had been unable to have sex with his wife, Joyce, due to a fear of intimacy.
After examining Joyce and Mark, I concluded that there was nothing physically and physiologically abnormal with them. However, Mark's fear of sex was rooted in a deeper issue - an extramarital affair that had gone against his strong values on monogamy.
"I always knew there was nothing medically wrong," Joyce said, "I know my husband does not believe in witchcraft but those evil powers exist and cause problems like what we are facing."
Mark's fear of sex was a manifestation of his guilt and shame over the affair. He had been unable to reconcile his actions with his values, leading to a deep-seated fear of intimacy. As a doctor, Mark knew that he needed to address the root cause of his fear. He began therapy to manage the psychological issues underlying his erotophobia. "So in my case what do we do?" Mark asked impatiently, he was visibly distressed by this stressful condition. I booked him for therapy to manage the psychological issues. Through therapy, Mark was able to identify and take responsibility for his actions. He realized that his fear of sex was not a physical issue, but a psychological one. He learned to manage his negative thoughts and feelings, and to be present in the moment with his wife. With time and effort, Mark was able to overcome his erotophobia and rebuild his relationship with Joyce. He learned that with the right mindset and support, he could overcome even the most challenging psychological issues.
