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Is sex addiction a real condition, or is it an excuse for (bad) behaviour? Otherwise known as compulsive sexual behaviour or hypersexual behaviours, sex addiction is not an official diagnosis listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). However, this doesn’t mean that sex addiction doesn’t have any roots in mental health.
Sex addiction is often misunderstood and stigmatised – which is an issue as it could be also linked to other mental health issues, such as anxiety, trauma, or even depression. This article will look at what sex addiction is, what drives this compulsive sexual behaviour, how it’s treated; and why it’s important for us to recognise this as a mental health issue, rather than simply a behavioural one.
What is Sex Addiction?
Compulsive sexual behaviour is a hyperfixation on sexual fantasies, urges, or behaviours which the individual finds hard to control. This focus on the sexual is so intense that it affects other aspects of the individual’s life, and can affect their relationships with their friends, family, and partners.
While sex addiction is not included in the DSM as a clinical diagnosis, ‘compulsive sexual behaviour disorder’ is included as a diagnosis in the World Health Organisation’s International Classification of Disease. In the manual, it’s defined as “a persistent pattern of failure to control intense, repetitive sexual impulses or urges resulting in repetitive sexual behaviour”. The focus of this definition is on behaviour as an impulse control disorder, rather than an addiction.
Symptoms of Sex Addiction
Symptoms of sex addiction may include:
- Being obsessed, such that you have have repeated and intense sexual fantasies, urges, and behaviour that may feel out of your control
- Being driven to engage in sexual behaviours, such as watching pornography or masturbation, and feeling guilt after the act
- Trying to reduce and control your sexual impulses and behaviours, but being unable to; and this may come at the expense of engaging in reckless behaviours that harm yourself or harm others, or your relationships
- Having trouble making and maintaining healthy romantic relationships
As a result of these behaviours, your daily life may be affected. This could be your relationships with your partner and family suffering; or being unable to concentrate on your own daily tasks, affecting your work performance and career.
Compulsive sexual behaviour can also lead to more serious consequences, such as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) or pregnancy. The potential feelings of guilt and shame may also compound, and be linked to the development of mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression.
Is it really an Addiction?
Despite the very real problems that sex addiction poses, there is still much debate around it as a condition. The field is still divided on whether sex addiction can be considered an addiction.
One camp argues, unlike drug addiction or alcoholism, withdrawal from sex does not lead to serious health complications, like death in some extreme cases of alcohol addicts. There are also certain cultural nuances that make it challenging for sex addiction to be deemed a clinical diagnosis; in that one may misuse the excuse of addiction to explain away bad behaviour, such as chronic cheating.
However, there has been such research to suggest that sex addiction is indeed similar to other types of addictions; in the way that an individual’s brain reacts to stimuli. A study in 2014 suggested that ‘sex addicts’ watching porn had similar brain activity as drug addicts when presented with a drug of their choice.
Despite the on-going debate, it is undeniable that individuals who are suffering from compulsive sexual behaviour do experience huge negative impact to their own daily lives, and their own mental health.
Sex Addiction and Mental Health
Possible Causes of Sex Addiction
While the causes of sex addiction are still unclear, there are some studies that show that an individual could be at higher risk for compulsive sexual behaviour if they already have problems with substance abuse or are suffering from an underlying mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety.
Some researchers also hold the theory that sex addiction could be linked to an imbalance of chemicals in the brain that regulate one’s mood. For example, one’s sexual behaviour could be affected should there be irregular levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine in your brain.
Conditions that affect certain areas of the brain may also lead to a higher risk of compulsive sexual disorder. This includes bipolar disorder or epilepsy – where damage is dealt to your prefrontal cortex, frontal lobe, or amygdala. These areas of your brain govern your decision making and emotions, and are important in helping to regulate your behaviours and impulsive control.
Impact of Sex Addiction
Individuals who suffer from sex addiction may experience tremendous feelings of shame and guilt, given the morality around sexual behaviours in our society. One may even blame themselves if they’re unable to control their behaviour.
Research shows that individuals who struggle with drug or alcohol addiction may be at higher risk of depression – a finding that could be relevant to those who are suffering from compulsive sexual behaviours too.
Treatment for Sex Addiction
With the significant impact that sex addiction may have on one’s life, it’s important to seek treatment as early as possible. Should you suspect that you may be at risk of (or are suffering from) sex addiction, reach out to a medical practitioner or a mental health professional.
Medication
There is no specific medication that treats addictive behaviours. However, certain types of medication may help with regulating your brain chemicals, and this can help with managing compulsive sexual behaviours. This may include antidepressants or mood stabilisers; and are best left to a medical practitioner to advise you on.
Therapy
A key aspect of treating compulsive sexual behaviours is going for therapy. One therapy approach would be Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which focuses on helping you replace negative thought pathways with more positive ways of thinking and productive ways of coping with these sexual impulses.
Support Groups
Social support may also help. It can be hard to confide in your friends and family. Similar to how Alcoholics Anonymous has helped many to overcome their alcoholism, finding a support group of individuals who are also dealing with sex addiction can be a good option. These groups can help you to learn more about this condition, as well as identify effective ways of managing your impulses or prevent relapse.
As with treatment for any condition, the key is being consistent with your treatment; as well as patient with your progress. There is no linear path towards recovery; stay focused on your goal, and take it a step at a time.
If you’re ready to reach out to a mental health professional, get in touch with our therapists at A Space Between. Our team of therapists are trained across a variety of disciplines, and are here to help you overcome these urges and behaviours.
References
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/compulsive-sexual-behavior/symptoms-causes/syc-20360434
- https://www.bbc.com/news/health-43978042
- https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2010/03/sex_addiction_a_disease_or_an.html
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/251803#1
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22690-sex-addiction-hypersexuality-and-compulsive-sexual-behavior
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/182473
- https://www.addictionhope.com/blog/sexual-addiction-and-mental-illness-connection/
- https://www.recoveryranch.com/addiction-blog/sex-addiction-is-real-and-so-are-its-mental-health-consequences/
- https://www.healthcentral.com/substance-abuse-and-addiction/bipolar-and-sex-addiction
- https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/addiction-and-other-mental-health-concerns
- https://www.addictioncenter.com/dual-diagnosis/depression-and-addiction/#:~:text=Depression%20is%20common%20among%20people,also%20have%20an%20alcohol%20problem.
