Sexual Addiction

addiction, the so called addiction to sex is often the result of a deeper cause simply blamed on

Sex addiction can be defined as an excessive and maladaptive sex drive, which requires the frequency and intensity of sexual behaviours to increase despite

Over time, the addict usually has to increase the addictive behavior to achieve the constant same results. But unlike drugs, alcohol and gambling, those substances or activities have no necessary relationship to human survival. Anybody can go through life without ever sipping a drink or playing a slot machine, but sexual activity is different. Human sexuality is a natural impulse in our biological system and even a necessary habit for human survival. According to the internet article “What is Sexual Addiction” by Michael Herkov, Ph.D. He states that “Although some people are celibate some not by choice, while others choose celibacy for cultural or religious reasons healthy humans have a strong desire for sex. In fact, lack of interest or low interest in sex can indicate a medical problem or psychiatric illness.”(Herkov,

While it is agreed that hyper-sexuality exits, many scientists dispute the absence of clinical evidence that is typically associated with an addict and his/her addiction (Hall, 2011). Although history has recorded ancient texts, such as satyriasis in men and nymphomania in women, by linking sexually addictive behavior, (Riemersma & Sytsma, 2013) clinicians faces challenges of relating “addiction” to “sexual behaviors that feel out of control” (Hall, 2011). The topic sexual addiction was covered in a recent movie fittingly titled Addiction. The premise of the film follows a once monogamist married woman fighting the urge of her sexual fantasies that were caused by a childhood rape. The film showed a darker side of one of many psychological factors that can lead to sexual addiction. Childhood trauma can cause such compulsion. Research suggests that children that has grown up in homes that were lacking the expression of love and emotional support, sex becomes a replacement for that sense of need. Also, children that may have been exposed to sex in inappropriate ways can therefore lead them to seek pleasure. Sex addiction relates to those who have been mentally bruised sexually as a child which is more than half of society. It is suggested in the article, Sexual and Relationship Therapy, that “the addiction is not necessarily a pleasure seeking strategy but a survival strategy” (Hall, 2011). Hall points out that sexual behavior may

The underlying causes of out-of-control sexual behavior has led to contentious arguments, since the underlying causes of the behavior determine how it should be treated. This literature review looks at the possible causes of sexual dysfunction in the form of overactive sexual activities. Using internet search terms including sexual addiction, sexual dependency, and hypersexuality, information was gathered on historical and current viewpoints on the causes of such behavior to determine whether overactive sexual activity should be classified as an addiction. Factors including psychological issues, comorbidity issues, and social issues were examined. While there are limited studies that indicate that the brain of those who participate in risky sexual behavior respond in much the same way as those who experience drug addiction, there is strong evidence that these behaviors are brought about by underlying causes such as child sexual abuse and psychological disorders such as bi-polar disorder. Careful examination of the patient’s history should be conducted to determine if overactive sexual activity is due to an underlying condition.

According to goodtherapy.org, sex addiction is any compulsive, sexually motivated behavior that is acted out regardless of any negative consequences that the behavior might have on one’s life. Unfortunately, sex addiction is not yet recognized by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) as a disease but it is believed to be more of an obsessive disruptive disorder.

In this time there are so many illnesses and disorders that go either unknown or unseen.One that seems to go misunderstood is sexual compulsive behavior, also known as sexual addiction. Other ways to refer to it is sexual dependency, hypersexuality, nymphomania(for females) and satyriasis(for males). Sexual addiction is the phenomenon in which people can not control their sexual behavior and urges. Those who have this disease is obsessed with sexual thoughts and don 't have the ability to control their urges.

Hyper sexual disorder/hyper sexuality , also commonly referred to as sexual addiction, is a condition diagnosed by psychiatrists and mental health researchers that plagues the addict with intensified and increased sexual impulses. These urges can lead to a significant increase in sexual activity.  Sex addiction is often thought to be synonymous with a high sex drive, but it is comparably as destructive and life altering as many other addictions. Research and studies show that those who suffer from pedophilia, addictions to pornographic material, and repeat sex offenders, are often diagnosed with hyper sexual disorder. Although correlated with sex offenses, not all offenders are considered sex addicts. Because of the complexity of the disorder, sex addicts may not even be aware of the severity of their addiction.  Without proper confrontation and counsel, those who suffer from hyper sexual disorder will also suffer emotionally, psychologically, and have difficulties functioning in society.

Adversely, the argument is being made that Sexual Addiction, now more commonly referred to as “Hypersexual Disorder,” is not a true affliction or addiction. Many would say that a person would claim sexual addiction as an excuse for unnatural behavior or a reason for being unfaithful. John M. Grohol, founder and Editor-in-Chief of the website “World of Psychology,” gives us insight into this argument. In his article, “Is Sexual Addiction Real?” Grohol defines the condition as an impulse rather than an addiction. Grohol states: “Compulsions, as defined by the DSM-IV, are not something that bring a person pleasure. That is why gambling is defined as simply “pathological” and not “compulsive.” The only recognition in the DSM-IV that a person might engage in an enjoyable

An addict craves his or her “vice of choice” for a number of reasons. For some, the trials and tribulations of day-to-day life cause people to use out of frustration, and others seem to become addicted to things that they subliminally tie to other forms of satisfaction. It has been proven that our genetic make up as well as things we experience early in childhood both contribute to a wide variety of the mannerisms we showcase, and the activities we are prone to taking part in. For example, if an individual is exposed to pornography at an early age, it would be easy to establish the foundation for a potential addiction. By using online resources for sexual fulfillment, people

Earlier studies on behavioral problems and clinical psychologist definitions of these problems found that there are

Before one can begin to understand the complexities of sexual addiction it must be adequately defined. The National Council on Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity has defined sexual addiction as “engaging in persistent and escalating patterns of sexual behavior acted out despite increasing negative consequences to self and others.” (Herkov) It is important to note that this means that sexual addiction isn’t just the desire to have sex more than normal but also that the addict engages in activities regardless of and consequences. The addict must also escalate their behaviors over a period of time in order to be considered an addict. This doesn’t mean escalating it to illegal actions but merely increasing the rate at which they engage in the

Prior to the death of Mr. Collins father, his consumption of Internet pornography and sexual chatting was not considered remarkable. He appeared to be able to function sexually while masturbating and during sexual intercourse with the partners in his life prior to this life-altering event. Mr. Collins expressed a relatively normal desire for sexual contact as a teenager as well as desire to couple with partners his age in traditional ways, but after the death of his father, what normally produced the arousal necessary to ejaculate while masturbating and having sexual intercourse, no longer appears to have had the desired effect. It is at this time that it appears that the symptoms of depression began to manifest in Mr. Collins life, depressed mood, decreased interest or pleasure, change in sleep, change in activity, and concentration. As these symptoms manifested, it appears that the indicators of Hypersexual Disorder began to develop; excessive masturbation, obsessing about sex to the point that it interfered with his life, spending significant time planning their sexual activity, frequent viewing of pornography or use of sexually explicit websites or other online services including adult chat rooms, frequent one-night stands with strangers, staying emotionally detached from sexual partners, frequently engaging in paraphilias, and inability to stop despite the consequences.

If the person does not get more of the substance or behavior, he becomes irritable and miserable (Bakker)

“...a relatively permanent change in observable behavior potential that result from experience with the environment...”