Sex addiction explained.

Sexual addiction is best described as a progressive intimacy disorder characterized by compulsive sexual thoughts and acts. Like all of the present forms of addictions, the negative impact of addiction on addict and family members progressively increase with the progress of disease. This addiction if left unattended, take a toll on the addict’s life and forces the individual to heap on the addictive behavior to have the same level of satisfaction that was attainable through less effort at the beginning of disease. As every individual possess unique personality, the intensity of disease is also variable for every addict. For some their addictive behavior does not surpasses the grim need of masturbation, extensive addiction to pornography or cybersex and other chat sex facilities but for others, it can acquire a more severe form forcing them to get involved in certain abnormal activities like exhibitionism, voyeurism, obscene phone calls, child molestation or rape. It is not necessary that this disease forces individuals to commit sex crimes. They can keep it personal because statistics show that not all sex offenders are sex addicts but there is a significant percentage i.e. 55% who can be considered sex addicts.

Sexual addiction could not be put into distinct categories because of the variability of reasons and factors but still chiefly it involves excess addiction masturbation, pornography, prostitution, fantasy, sadistic or masochistic behavior, Exhibition/Voyeurism, other excessive sexual pursuits like child molestation, insatiable lust for partners, rapid switching of partners for sexual satisfaction, emotional detachment and lack of satisfaction through normal sexual practices. The National Council on Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity states that a sex addict will continue to engage in certain sexual behaviors despite facing prospective health risks, financial and economic harms, shattered and unsuccessful relationships or even arrest.

It is an established fact that sex offenders do not solely act for sexual delight, but rather out of a troubled desire for authority, supremacy, control or vengeance, or a perverted and distorted expression of anger. A sex addict may suffer a single form of sexual addiction or it may practices all of its forms depending upon the severity of disease and course of time an addict have been indulged in these activities.  Sexual addiction is usually considered an emotional/psychological sexual disorder but it does manifests itself in physical form. Sometime it’s evident from ones behavior that they are thinking about some really perverse act as it becomes difficult for addicts to control their behavior.

Sex addicts often face problems defining healthy boundaries, they either completely become desolate, depressed, mysterious, frustrated, and humiliated or they could become completely opposite of these, being excessively getting involved with people sexually regardless of respecting the choice of their partners or potential partners towards them. Majority of sex addicts could not walk out of unhealthy relationships because of their extreme paranoia of abandonment. On contrary to this, their sexual lust might make them leave their healthy relationships in the worst of ways without caring about the emotions of people around them.

Sexual addiction can develop due to factors that encompass all aspects of an individual’s life. Researchers have found that there could be some biological explanations for sex addiction. An individual could have a genetic tendency towards emotional volatility, impulsivity or negative attention seeking behavior. Existence of other metal conditions like stress, anxiety or depression can also play a major role in manifestation of sexual addiction. Higher levels of sex hormones are other key players that can increase the chances of excessive involvement in sexual activities. Psychologically, those that have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, or have a tendency toward “manic” states, are much more likely to engage in excessive or risky sexual behavior. Apart from these causes an early history of child abuse, molestation or exposure to explicit content at an inappropriate age can result into aberrant sexual behaviors.

Sexual addiction can have deleterious effects on individual’s life and the life of those around them. According to the stats of Departmental Management of the USDA, about 38% of men and 45% of women with sex addictions have a venereal disease as a result of their behavior. On the other hand in female addicts pregnancy is a main side effect related to these sexual practices. In a survey, around 70% of women have experienced an unwanted pregnancy due to their untamed sexual ventures. Socially, sex addiction can result in decline of personal relationships and decreased productivity in working environments, resulting in financial problems. Health wise, these excessive sexual activities greatly increase the chance of contacting sexually transmitted diseases.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders, Volume Four categorizes sex addiction, under the category “Sexual Disorders”. It is immensely imperative to know that although sex and porn addiction are not “formally” diagnosable, these situations exist and often present with very unpleasant consequences and towering levels of distress, guilt, and emotional tumult. If you can relate to the symptoms mentioned above, or know somebody who meets these criteria, do not hesitate to ask for help. There are a number of available options for treatment including psychotherapy, medication and hormonal therapy but diagnosis and self-assessment is the key to get help in the first place. If you think you need help we are organizing an international conference titled “Integrative Addiction conference” whose sole purpose is to unite medical health professional, psychologists and other stake holder on one platform. Speakers from all over the world are going to discuss multiple aspects of addiction. This is just a tremendous opportunity to get a lot of valuable information without any kind of hesitation. You can find more information here http://integrativeaddictionconference.com/ . Get yourself registered today and avail this opportunity to understand yourself and your loved ones in better ways. Alternatively if you have some valuable suggestions and knowledge of the said field, you can join us as one of our speakers, so register right now and spread awareness. After all it’s the right of every human being to be loved and understood despite of innumerous flaws we all possess.