30/08/2024
What is s*xual addiction?
Sexual addiction is an intense focus on s*xual fantasies, urges or activities that can’t be controlled and cause distress or harm your health, relationships, career or other aspects of your life. Sexual addiction is the most commonly used lay term. You may hear healthcare professionals call this compulsive s*xual behavior, problematic s*xual behavior, hypers*xuality, hypers*xuality disorder, s*xual compulsivity or s*xual impulsivity.
Although s*x addiction involves activities that can be common to a s*x life — such as ma********on, po*******hy, phone s*x, cybers*x, multiple partners and more — it’s when your s*xual thoughts and activities consume your life that you may be considered to have a s*xual addiction.
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Is a s*x addiction similar to other addictions?
Yes. The “addiction feeling” is what makes it similar. The craving for s*x is similar to cravings felt for alcohol or drugs by those who have addictions to these substances. It’s an overwhelming compulsion or temptation that’s so strong you feel that you have to have it. It’s an out-of-control feeling, never feeling satisfied feeling or a constant battle to take control of something that’s on autopilot. You return to the behavior — over and over again — despite the negative consequences.
How common is s*xual addiction and who is most affected?
Hypers*xuality appears to affect about 3% to 10% of the general U.S. population. It’s more common in men than women. For every two to five males with hypers*xuality, one woman is affected. Sexual addiction begins, on average, at 18 years of age. Most individuals don’t reach out for professional help until age 37.
Many individuals (88%) have a history of other mental health conditions, too, including:
Mood disorders, including bipolar disorder.
Anxiety disorders.
History of su***de attempts.
Personality disorders.
Other addictive disorders.
Impulse control disorders.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Is s*x addiction or hypers*xuality considered a mental health disorder?
Debate is ongoing if hypers*xuality can be classified as a mental health disorder. The American Psychiatric Association rejected a proposal to include hypers*xual disorder as a condition in DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition), their manual for assessing and diagnosing mental health conditions. Their reason was lack of evidence and the potential consequences of calling excessive s*xual activity a “pathology” (calling it a disease or disorder).
What does a s*xual addict think or feel about their s*xual obsession?
A s*x addict may feel:
Guilt, shame or remorse.
Hopelessness, powerless over the addictive behavior.
Depressed, lonely.
Fearful, anxious.
Suicidal.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the signs and symptoms of s*xual addiction or hypers*xuality?
Although there’s no established criteria for hypers*xuality, traits that are commonly seen in a hypers*xual person or s*xual addict include:
You’re obsessed with s*x. You spend a lot of time fantasizing about your s*xual urges and engaging in s*xual behavior.
You ma******te often (once to several times daily).
You frequently view po*******hy. Sources include videos, adult magazines, the internet (websites, webcams). You often ma******te while viewing po*******hy.
You spend an excessive amount of time planning s*xual activity. You spend a lot of time figuring out where and how you’ll get your next s*xual “high.”
You frequently use s*xual services. This is a step up, in that your activities now involve human interaction. Behaviors could include phone s*x, connections made through internet chat rooms, paying for s*xual encounters, visits to strip clubs, having multiple partners or frequent one-night stands.
Your behavior escalates to reckless s*xual activity. You may add substance abuse to your s*xual activity or add s*xual aggression or dangerous s*xual activity (such as au******ic asphyxiation) to your behaviors.
You engage in s*xual behaviors that go against your personal values, religious beliefs or what society deems appropriate.
You frequently engage in paraphilia. These are s*xual behaviors that involve another person’s psychological distress, injury or death. Examples include exhibitionism (exposing ge****ls to strangers), voyeurism (watching or engaging in s*xual activities with others), sadomasochism (s*xual pleasure from inflicting pain or humiliation on others) and pe******ia (s*xual feelings toward children).
You can’t stop your s*xual behavior despite negative consequences to your finances, relationships, health or emotions.
What are the complications of having a s*xual addition or hypers*xuality?
Complications of s*xual addiction include:
Lack of a normal, healthy relationship with your s*xual partner and your family.
Downward work performance and career loss from an inability to focus on work or watching po*******hy at work.
Money problems stemming from paying for s*xual activities.
Health consequences, including pregnancy and s*xually transmitted infections (STIs), such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis or gonorrhea.
Use of recreational drugs or drinking an excessive amount of alcohol.
Development of mental health conditions, such as stress and anxiety, depression or thoughts of su***de.
Potential jail or prison time for s*xual offenses.
Emotional costs including guilt, shame and hopelessness.
What causes s*xual addiction or hypers*xuality?
Scientists aren’t totally sure what causes hypers*xuality. Possible theories include:
Imbalance of mood chemicals in your brain. High levels or overactivity of certain chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin) might result in increased s*xual desire and behavior.
Conditions that affect or damage areas of your brain that control s*xual behavior. Conditions such as dementia, epilepsy, bipolar disorder and damage to your frontal lobe, amygdala or prefrontal cortex areas of your brain may contribute to hypers*xuality.
Altered brain function that creates new nerve pathways of addictive behavior.
Substance abuse, particularly co***ne and amphetamine use and alcohol.
Adverse effect of medication. One example is levodopa, a common medication used in Parkinson’s disease.
Diagnosis and Tests
How is hypers*xuality diagnosed?
Your healthcare professional or mental health professional may ask you about your:
Current health, existing health conditions, family medical history, current medications, supplements and herbal products.
Use of recreational drugs and alcohol.
Sexual thoughts, urges and behaviors, and level of control you feel you have over them, as well as other s*xual symptoms (see Symptoms and Causes section).
Your healthcare provider may ask for your permission to talk with your family and friends to gain more input.
Your healthcare provider may also want to rule out other conditions for which hypers*xuality may be a symptom, such as bipolar disorder (manic episode), hyperandrogenism, anxiety, personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and Tourette’s disorder.
At present, there isn’t an agreed diagnostic criteria for hypers*xuality. Despite this, mental health professionals skilled in addiction disorders will recognize life-consuming s*xual behaviors and can offer appropriate treatment options.
Management and Treatment
How is s*xual addiction, hypers*xuality, treated?
Sexual addiction, or hypers*xuality, is treated with a combination of medications, psychotherapy and self-help group therapy.
Medications
No medication is specifically approved to treat s*xual addiction. However, medications that act on your brain’s “urge and behavior” hormones and chemicals and that are prescribed for similar medical conditions can be tried. Your healthcare provider will prescribe medications that are best suited for you, considering any other mental health conditions you may have.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy involves a variety of techniques. During psychotherapy, you’ll talk with a mental health professional who’ll help you identify and manage factors that might be triggering your hypers*xuality behaviors. Psychotherapy is provided to individuals, as well as to families and couples, since all are affected by an individual’s s*xual addiction.
Cognitive behavioral therapy.
This type of psychotherapy focuses on replacing negative thoughts and behaviors with other ways to better cope and reduce the impulse to have s*x.
Acceptance and commitment therapy.
This psychotherapy uses acceptance and mindfulness strategies. Its goal is for individuals to accept distress and to change the relationship with their thoughts rather than changing the thoughts themselves.
Motivational interviewing. This psychotherapy guides individuals through the process of exploring their s*xual addiction in the context of your personal goals and values.
Prevention
Can s*xual addiction or hypers*xuality be prevented?
Whether or not s*xual addiction can be prevented depends on the underlying cause(s). Sometimes, there’s a chemical imbalance in your brain. Or, another health condition’s side effect or symptom is hypers*xuality. There are many factors that come into play in the development or appearance of a s*xual addiction.
But even if you can’t control all the factors, you can take some control of some things that might escalate your thoughts, urges, desires and actions. These include:
Learn about s*xual addiction or hypers*xuality. You’re taking your first step now by reading this article! See your healthcare professional or mental healthcare professional. They’re here to help you, beginning with education.
Change triggers that you know tempt you. Block po*******hy internet sites and other s*x sites on your computer. Drive a different route to avoid strip clubs. Think about other changes you can make.
Get help for substance abuse problems. If you abuse alcohol or recreational drugs, you reduce your chance of resisting your s*xual urges. Ask your healthcare provider for help in quitting these substances.
Make sure other mental health conditions are well managed. If you have other mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder, make sure you’re following all of your doctor’s instructions for managing these conditions. If you think your condition has changed, make an appointment and see your healthcare provider.
Channel your energy to healthy choices.
Redirecting your body can redirect and distract your mind. Get busy. Engage in sports, join clubs, take up a hobby, become a volunteer for organizations that help others, exercise, try meditation or yoga or other stress-reduction methods.
Be patient and stay focused on your goal.
Managing s*xual addiction is a life-long commitment. It’s up to you to stay focused on the most important things in your life and to maintain or repair damaged relationships. You can do this. Your entire healthcare team is ready to help you.
Regards
Dr Babar
Sexiologist and Psychologist
Msc and PhD from Coventry University UK
