"Psychopathological Promiscuity" and "Refinding" in the Quest for Sexual Love

It is proposed that contrary to conventional definitions of "promiscuity" which include the criteria of frequent nonselective sexual intercourse having no plan or purpose, psychoanalytic treatment of "pathological promiscuity" revealed both selectivity and purpose to this behavior. Aspects of the life and treatment of a woman who presented promiscuity and suicidal impulses as her initial problems are presented. Understanding the unconscious determinants of the patient's "refinding" process along with the intrapsychic narcissistic functions which her promiscuity sought to serve underscored the paradox of the definition, and were considered necessary to advance the therapeutic process. An alternate definition of pathological promiscuity is used which recognizes the need for the addition of considerations of infrapsychic conflict, and the psychic functions of narcissistic enactments.