Adverse reaction of the apparently healthy partner in response to improvement in the overtly dysfunctional partner

The increase in the number of couples and individuals seeking sex therapy is yielding an increase in the variety as well as number of therapeutic complications. We wish to discuss briefly one complication: the development of emotional and sexual disability in the seemingly healthy member of a couple in treatment as the dysfunctional partner "gets well." The disruption is serious enough to require separate treatment. Our experience with this phenomenon underscores the importance of flexibility on the part of the therapist since it may be necessary to institute individual therapy to avoid overwhelming the new decompensating partner. Examples are provided, and recommendations for management offered.