Signs of sex addiction and how to treat it – Health Life

Like drug or alcohol addiction, sex addiction has the potential to negatively impact a person’s physical and mental health, personal relationships, quality of life, and safety.

1. What is sex addiction?

Like all addictions, sex addiction makes it very difficult for the sufferer to form or continue relationships. It can destroy personal relationships, mental and physical health. A sex addict will find little sense of quality of life, or safety.

A sex addict’s life and activities are influenced and dominated by wanting or performing sex several times a day. The person may feel unable to regulate or control his or her behavior even knowing the possible consequences, the addiction leading to a complete loss of judgment, decision-making, and behavioral control.

There are several variations of addiction. Some notably sex addicts still have an obsessive need about masturbation, viewing pornography, or in sexually stimulating situations.

It should be noted that sex addicts are not necessarily sex offenders.

2. Symptoms and characteristics

Sex addicts have an obsessive need for masturbation, pornography, or sexually stimulating situations.

Common symptoms of a sex addict include:

– Periodic sexual activity will become the number 1 goal of their life. It slowly pushes the person to the point of neglecting their health, personal care or other interests and responsibilities.

Many unsuccessful attempts to reduce repeat sexual behavior.

Normal sexual behavior achieves negligible gratification despite possible adverse consequences.

Uncontrollable sexual desires for a long time (6 months or more)

– Significant impairment in personal, social or professional functions and relationships.

Distinguishing features of sex addiction

– Constant, compulsive sexual ideas and fantasies.

– Uncontrollable desire to have sex with multiple partners, including strangers

– Infatuation with lies and deception to cover up.

– Unable to regulate behavioral urges.

– Probability of putting yourself or others at risk as a result of a sexual act

– Feelings of regret after a sexual act.

3. Possible Causes and Variants of Sex Addiction

3.1 Causes of sex addiction

The exact cause of sexual compulsion remains unclear. Some studies suggest that compulsive sexual behavior has the same brain circuitry and recovery system as substance dependence.

Depression can often cause someone to engage in compulsive sexual activities. Different moods, including sadness, loneliness, and happiness, can also lead to people not being able to control their sexual behavior to behave abnormally.

3.2 Variations of sex addiction

There are several variations of sex addiction, notable ones include addiction:

– Pornographic content such as pornographic movies and images

– Prostitution

– Fantasy masturbation

– Acts of masochism.

4. Sex Addiction Treatment

When there are symptoms of sex addiction, the patient needs to see a doctor for advice and treatment. (Illustration)

Like any addiction, sex addiction can be cured with your own patience and proper diagnosis.

If you feel you or a loved one is addicted to sex, start by talking to your doctor or sex specialist, although treatment for sex addiction can still be difficult due to the lack of options. Choose evidence-based treatment.

Current treatment options that attempt to relieve symptoms are to control excessive sexual desires. Common types of treatment include:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Therapy helps sex addicts identify behavioral patterns. A doctor or sex specialist will teach sex addicts how to change their behavior.

Medicine

Drug treatment can be beneficial for some people with sex addiction. Antidote depression may contribute to suppressing urges. However, there are potential side effects of some antidepressants, which can lead to decreased sex drive or other aspects of the sexual experience.