Sexual Anorexia Quiz: Test for Intimacy Avoidance & Symptoms

Take this comprehensive sexual anorexia quiz to evaluate your relationship with intimacy, sex, and avoidance behaviors. This self-assessment helps identify signs of intimacy fear, compulsive sexual avoidance, and deep-seated shame.

This assessment contains 24 questions. Please answer honestly based on your feelings over the past year. Choose the option that best matches your immediate internal reaction. This test is for self-reflection and educational purposes only.

1 / 24

1. How often do you go out of your way to avoid situations that might lead to physical or sexual intimacy?

Rarely or never; I am comfortable with intimacy.

Occasionally, usually when I am stressed or tired.

Frequently; I often make up excuses to avoid being alone with a partner.

Almost always; avoiding sex is a constant, exhausting effort for me.

2. When you think about engaging in sexual activity, what is your primary emotional response?

Excitement, warmth, or normal anticipation.

Indifference or mild anxiety.

Strong discomfort, pressure, or a desire to escape.

Intense fear, disgust, panic, or profound shame.

3. If a partner or someone you are dating initiates physical affection (like touching or kissing), how do you typically react internally?

I welcome it and reciprocate naturally.

I accept it, though sometimes I feel a bit guarded.

I tense up and try to redirect their attention away from physical touch.

I freeze, panic, feel violated, or aggressively push them away.

4. How much does shame or negative body image impact your willingness to be intimate?

Not at all; I generally accept my body.

A little; I have insecurities like most people.

Significantly; I avoid certain lights or positions due to shame.

Completely; deep self-loathing or body shame paralyzes my ability to be intimate.

5. Do you experience physical symptoms (e.g., nausea, racing heart, trembling) when faced with the prospect of having sex?

Never.

Rarely, only if I'm extremely nervous.

Sometimes, my body visibly reacts with anxiety.

Frequently; I experience almost panic-attack-like symptoms.

6. How do you view sex in the context of a relationship?

A healthy, normal way to connect with a partner.

An optional activity that I can take or leave.

A difficult obligation or chore I must endure.

A dangerous, dirty, or highly threatening demand.

7. Do you find yourself harshly judging others for their sexual desires, attractiveness, or behaviors?

No, I believe everyone's consensual choices are their own.

Occasionally, if their behavior is very extreme.

Often; I feel repulsed by how sexualized the world is.

Constantly; I feel intensely critical and disgusted by others' sexuality.

8. During moments of physical intimacy, do you ever emotionally detach or 'dissociate' (mentally check out) just to get through it?

No, I stay present and engaged.

Rarely, my mind wanders occasionally.

Often, I disconnect my mind from my body to endure it.

Always; I completely numb out and go to a different place mentally.

9. How much time and mental energy do you spend worrying about or strategizing how to get out of potential sexual encounters?

None, I don't worry about this.

A little bit, mainly when I'm not in the mood.

A moderate amount; it's a recurring source of stress.

A massive amount; obsessing over avoiding sex consumes my daily life.

10. Has your fear, aversion, or avoidance of sex caused significant distress or the breakdown of romantic relationships?

No, my relationships are not negatively impacted by this.

It has caused some minor arguments or misunderstandings.

Yes, it has been a major issue in my past or current relationship.

Absolutely; it has repeatedly destroyed my relationships or kept me completely isolated.

11. Do you keep rigid rules around your body, clothing, or sleeping arrangements to ensure no one can initiate physical contact?

No, I am quite relaxed about these things.

Sometimes I wear specific things when I don't want to be touched.

Often; I use clothing, pillows, or schedules as a barrier.

Always; my life is strictly structured to physically block any possibility of touch.

12. Do you feel an overwhelming sense of isolation or deep, secretive shame about your lack of desire or fear of sex?

No, I am comfortable with my level of desire.

Occasionally I wonder if something is wrong with me.

Yes, I feel flawed and hide my anxiety from others.

Profoundly; I carry a crushing secret shame that I am 'broken' regarding intimacy.

13. How do you feel about self-pleasure (masturbation)?

It is a normal, healthy part of my life.

I do it occasionally, but it's not very important to me.

I feel guilty or 'dirty' afterwards, so I try to avoid it.

I strictly forbid myself from doing it, or the idea disgusts me completely.

14. Do you purposely choose partners who are emotionally unavailable or long-distance to ensure sex doesn't happen often?

No, I seek available and present partners.

Sometimes it just happens that way by chance.

Yes, I feel safer when my partner is not physically around.

Always; I sabotage relationships the moment they get too physically close.

15. When you see sexual scenes in movies or media, what is your reaction?

I am indifferent or find it entertaining.

I might feel slightly awkward depending on who I'm with.

I feel annoyed and think it's unnecessary.

I feel intense anxiety, anger, or must look away/turn it off immediately.

16. Do you feel that 'letting go' during sex would mean losing control of yourself in a dangerous way?

No, losing control can be pleasurable.

I like to stay in control, but it's not a fear.

Yes, being vulnerable feels risky to me.

Absolutely; I must stay rigid and vigilant because losing control feels terrifying.

17. Have you ever felt that your genitals or sexual fluids are inherently 'dirty,' 'gross,' or 'wrong'?

No, these are natural parts of a human body.

Sometimes I feel a bit self-conscious about hygiene.

Often; I feel a strong need to wash immediately and thoroughly.

Constantly; I view the entire sexual process as contamination.

18. Do you use work, fatigue, children, or hobbies as a 'shield' to ensure you are never available for intimacy?

No, I make time for intimacy despite being busy.

Sometimes, when I am genuinely exhausted.

Frequently; being 'too busy' is my go-to safety mechanism.

Always; I overfill my schedule on purpose so sex is physically impossible.

19. If you do engage in sex, do you feel a wave of depression, guilt, or self-hatred immediately afterward?

No, I usually feel connected or relaxed.

Rarely, usually only if the experience wasn't great.

Often; I feel a drop in mood or regret.

Always; I feel 'soiled' or deeply ashamed that I let it happen.

20. Do you believe that by avoiding sex, you are being 'superior,' 'purer,' or 'more spiritual' than others?

No, I don't connect sex with moral superiority.

Maybe slightly, I value my self-control.

Yes, I often feel better than those who are 'obsessed' with sex.

Definitely; I pride myself on my asceticism and look down on sexual needs.

21. Have you ever experienced unexplained pain (dyspareunia) or physical numbness during sex that doctors couldn't fully explain?

No.

Once or twice, but it went away.

Yes, it happens frequently enough to be a problem.

Yes, my body physically shuts down or hurts to prevent penetration/intimacy.

22. Do you fear that if you start having sex, you might become 'addicted' or turn into a person you despise?

No, that thought never crosses my mind.

I worry a little about managing my desires.

Yes, I fear opening a door I can't close.

Terrified; I repress it because I fear the 'monster' of desire inside me.

23. How strictly was sex discussed (or not discussed) in your upbringing?

It was discussed openly or neutrally.

It was awkward, but not strictly forbidden.

It was rarely mentioned or treated as a taboo subject.

It was demonized; I was taught sex is sinful, dangerous, or only for procreation.

24. Do you fantasize about being in a relationship where sex is completely off the table (a 'platonic marriage')?

No, I want a relationship with sexual chemistry.

Sometimes that sounds peaceful, but I'd miss the passion.

Often; that sounds like a relief to me.

That is my ideal dream; perfect intimacy without the 'threat' of sex.