Is Sex Addiction a Myth?
Maybe, like “exhaustion,” it’s just an excuse made up by famous people. [Times Online]
Sex as an addiction is a topic being debated within psychology right now. Some patients have symptoms similar to obsessive compulsive disorders while other have classic addition symptoms.
Regardless, if sexual pursuits are getting in the way of work performance, social relationships, and are used to “feel better,” it’s a problem.
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I always felt sexual compulsion was a more accurate term – since you become addicted to the brain’s chemical rush from the hunt/chase of finding partners. A cognitive behavor therapist could address this cycle of thinking and you can become more aware of the way you deal with anxiety and learn ways to stop your thinking before you get into that “bubble” of addictive thinking leading to potentially destructive behavior.
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I think it’s an academic question. Who cares that it’s really an “addiction”, whatever that is. The valid question is “is this a problem for you” and if so, what do you want to do about it.
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I knew a guy who was compulsive about looking for sex all the time. Literally, he would take off from work during the day to find a hook up. If it wasn’t an addiction, it definitely was not healthy.
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What’s the difference between a hobby and an addiction? Could it possibly be the morality of those around you? Sex feels good. It’s fun. I think the real determination should be made when a person has sex with anyone just for the sake of having sex, does it to the detriment of their well being and demonstrates a consistent pattern of behavior in which their pursuits result in knowable negative consequences. Too often I think the term “sexual addiction” is used in a politically correct sense to characterize one deemed a moral deviant.
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Hypersexual encounters are at the base of almost every disorder recognized by the psychiatric community. I, a Psychologist, strongly feel that “sexual addiction” can be a great coverup to a larger personality disorder (e.g., profile of a sociopath). I think “sexual addiction” is a real but am afraid that identifying with the term has it’s long-term consequences and it will detract from the greater beast.
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@Thumper: You must be a psychologist from Upstairs University. Point to the addiction for me. There may be a compulsive disorder, but there isn’t a dependence. “Hypersexual encounters are at the base of almost every disorder..” yada yada yada. What does that even mean? And FYI, Personality Disorders refer to a group of specific disorders- many of which do have an effect on sexuality, but none of which are covered up by hypersexuality. The greater Beast? Not only did you go to Upstairs University, you went to the Emily Dickinson institute on melodrama.
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Pornography, which is especially the problem of men, is the second main factor in the life of a sex addict. This can mean porn magazines, films or material on the Internet that is used to seek for satisfaction. For example on the Internet general headwords concerning this issue are … By them people seek for satisfaction.
One problem with pornography is that it does not bring long-lasting satisfaction to us. These magazines or films kind of promise that you will find the erotic picture you have always been looking and longing for, but the satisfaction does not last for long. As time goes by, many may experience the same as alcoholics and drug addicts: they need more and more powerful stimulus to experience the same stimulation as before, because the amount of pleasure diminishes.
More info: http://koti.phnet.fi/elohim/sexaddiction
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Benoit Denizet-Lewis claimed he was a sex addict, as part of his larger book on Americans and addictions.
I didn’t purchase or read that book, but I did read an excerpt on his experiences. I suppose it is possible that people with other disorders (obsessive compulsive disorder, for example) create something similar to sexual addiction out of it (call it “sexual compulsion,” or whatever you will). And having worked with sex offenders it isn’t uncommon for them to develop what from afar looks like a compulsive pornography habit, coupled with substance abuse. But an actual addiction to sex? Color me skeptical.