Category Archives: Sex addiction

normal-sexuality

What Is Normal Sexuality? What Affects Your Sexuality

March 17, 2016

What Affect Our Normal Sexuality?

Normal sexualityAlthough Biology plays a very vital role, the way sexuality is perceived, expressed or acted upon differs with different cultures. As such, what is seen as normal sexuality in one culture may not be normal in another. Basically, sexuality talks about people’s sexual interest and/or attraction to others. It is the potential to have sexual or erotic feelings and experiences one to the other. The subject of sexuality is therefore a complex one since there are many cultures around the world. In other to be able to tackle with this subject, in some way, we will have to zero down to what ‘normal’ is within most cultures.

Scientifically, when something is said to be ‘normal’, it means average. Contrarily, when something is said to be ‘healthy’, it means it is adaptive. What this infers therefore is that what is normal sexuality depends on many things, apart from culture now, just like it is pretty difficult for an individual to answer the question “Am I normal?” The truth is, what defines a healthy sexuality varies to a large degree.

Because of these variables, we often wonder whether our sexual needs, desires or interests are normal. As a matter of fact, married people who use the services of therapists often ask about normality. Therefore to define normal or abnormal sexuality, it is necessary to define “sexuality” and “abnormality” Sexuality includes every component including, and is not limited to,  sexual behaviors, sexual desires, sexual attitudes that one is engaged in, sexual function, preferences and identification. Psychologically, on the other hand, abnormality is seen from 3 perspectives

  1. The Frequency Perspective: Which considers the abnormality of a behavior based on the rarity of occurrence in a general population
  2. The Social Norms Perspective: Which considers the abnormality of a behavior based on what is socially acceptable
  3. The Maladaptive Perspective: This considers the abnormality of a behavior when it causes problems in the life of the person who exhibits such behavior.

Sexuality or a sexual behavior is therefore said to be abnormal when it is not reported frequently from the frequency perspective. The problem with this perspective is that frequency can only be based on what is reported. If a particular sexual behavior is not reported, it doesn’t mean it is not in existence. If people are not willing to disclose, then the frequency will be low. A very large portion of sexuality-based researches are based on self-report. People get asked sensitive questions such as sexuality and they are expected to answer correctly. But more often than not, people distort the truth. For instance, women may be asked about how many sexual partners they keep or they have had so far in their lifetime. In most studies, women round down while men round up. In both cases, the figures are distorted and not exact giving results that are either an over-representation or under-representation of that the truth is. In most studies therefore, based on the frequency perspective, what is normal sexuality refers to sexual feelings towards the opposite sex. This is the most frequently reported.

Looking at the social norms perspective of normal sexuality, one can see clearly that this has to do largely with religion, politics, societal beliefs and ancestry. In most cultures around the world, the term ‘normal’ refers to what is ‘more acceptable’. Rather than seeing ‘normal’ as what is ‘absolutely acceptable’ and abnormal as ‘absolutely unacceptable’, each culture finds a way of identifying a range or spectrum of behaviors that may be more or less acceptable. Also, what is normal culturally tend to change over a period of time. For instance, pre-marital sex may be abnormal in the 1950s but is now acceptable in the 2000s. Normal sexuality from this point of view is pretty dicey as many cultures practice many kinds of sexuality and it is therefore difficult to find a ‘general normal’ from this perspective.

From the Maladaptive point of view, normal sexuality is beheld from the perspective of what is ‘healthy’, not what is ‘average’. This perspective therefore only seeks to know whether a sexual behavior is causing troubles, bringing harm to the individual or to the whole society. While the first two perspectives, the Frequency and the Social Norm perspective are seen as ‘objective’, trying to zero down on what is acceptable, the maladaptive point of view cares less, it only wants to know whether what is seen as normal or abnormal by the first two perspectives interferes with someone’s life. As long as it doesn’t, it is considered normal and when it does, it is considered abnormal sexuality.

Obviously, from the above definitions of ‘What is Normal Sexuality?’, it is clear that the topic of sexuality is very complex. I personally think what can be done to do justice to this topic is to ask questions such as

  1. Is this acceptable to me and my partner?
  2. Is this sexuality manipulative, exploitative, coercive or self-destructive?
  3. Does it cause any kind of harm to my partner or the society as a whole?

WHAT AFFECTS SEXUALITY?

Sexuality is normal in itself. It is biological and it is what develops with an individual right from birth. What affects sexuality is mostly external, rather than natural or internal. For instance, a female might have found out she is never satisfied with intercourse without clitoral stimulation. Because her partner does not seem to be into this, she finds it hard to discuss and as such, she over time resolves that clitoral stimulation may be something unacceptable for her partner. She recedes to a life of sex without satisfaction.

Also, the taboos of masturbation may prevent an individual from discovering sexual pleasure based on hand stimulation and because of this, such individual finds it hard later in life to direct their partners on how to use this method to bring them sexual satisfaction.

For me, most have come to believe that their ‘manliness’ or self-worth is largely based on their ability to please their partners. He therefore puts all focus on performing rather than enjoying sex. When the partner doesn’t seem to be satisfied, such men get depressed or start having sexual anxiety which cause problems such as erection dysfunction, which later causes problems in the relationship.

These and many more external factors affect human sexuality. You are invited to the AwareMedNetwork Conference where issues such as this and more will be discussed exhaustively. Please visit the official website to register.

 

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hypersexual-disorder

What is hypersexual disorder and its symptoms?

March 16, 2016

Signs that you have hypersexual disorder

Hypersexual DisorderThe National Council on Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity has defined hypersexual disorder alternatively and casually called sexual addiction as “engaging in persistent and escalating patterns of sexual behavior acted out despite increasing negative consequences to self and others. Hypersexual disorder is a psychological disorder, and these individuals who suffer this, should not be looked down upon. There is a dire need of understanding how things for them, only the perverse acts should be hated but not the individuals. As the severity of disorder increases so is their frustration.  About 71 percent of child molesters are sex addicts. For many, their problems are so severe that imprisonment is the only way to ensure society’s safety against them.

There are a number of symptoms hypersexual individual suffer, most of them have to do with a recurrent and insatiable desire to get involved in sexual activities, fantasies, urges and many more. The extent to which an addict shows signs and symptoms is greatly affected by individual’s personality, environment, culture, religious beliefs and the severity of disorder. Most of the times a person remains disconnected to the outer world and remain submerged in planning sexual acts and look at majority of individuals around him/her in a sexual way. Their minds get plagued by the foolish rewards system they have developed over a period of time that gives them a false sense of euphoria and enchantment once they engage in a sexual activity. Secondly they get easily driven by their desire of more and more such encounters as they start considering this euphoria as a basic human need without which their survival isn’t possible.

When a person suffers hypersexual disorder, their majority of time is spent in planning activities and fantasies and perfect sexual scenarios that might never occur. They start looking at everyone with the same eye. This could result in them committing sexual crimes. Not all of the sex addicts get engaged in sexual crimes as they can manage their desired by possessing multiple partners, prostitutes, phone sex an online dating services. But when the disorder takes a toll with high levels of frustration building in an individual, it becomes difficult for the addict to contain these wicked thoughts to themselves.

An addict mostly have very low self-esteem, self-loathing and self-shamming are two very basic symptoms of hypersexual disorder. They consider themselves as un-lovable entities and often have this issue of objectifying their potential sexual partners that creates an atmosphere of distress and disdain. They often become mysterious and lack common sense of boundaries. They can’t differentiate between normal and healthy sexual needs and perverse wicked needs for excessive sex.

These individuals engage in these activities in result of many factors and happenings around them, mostly their sexual fantasies are a perfect way of running away from stressful event of their lives. What they are unable to understand is that their ventures are not going to solve their problem, rather they will intensify them. The quick gain of false euphoria makes it impossible for them to avoid these encounters again and again. They repetitively try to refrain from these activities and stay unsuccessful in controlling their desires. With time and severity of disease, they completely start disregarding the emotional harm cause by these urges to themselves and others as well. They will anything that satisfied them for a while without considering the consequences

The person experiences clinically noteworthy personal distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning associated with the frequency and intensity of these sexual fantasies, urges, and behavior. These people becomes isolated as they are so absorbed in their own thoughts that they severely feel a lack of connection with the outer world, a sense of no understanding prevails in almost all of sex addicts. Even though they will loathe themselves for their acts but usually they will not accept it to another person, majority of these do not reach out for help, they get so addicted and dependent that it becomes really difficult to even think about the idea of surviving without their own world of perversion.

The people suffering hypersexual disorder also get engaged in other forms of addiction as substance abuse and alcohol; this does not help them in any way rather than making them more miserable. It’s important to note that none of the above mentioned symptoms are due to the direct physiological effects of drugs or medication or manic episodes. They find drugs as a suitable alternative to their sexual euphoria and to find escape from a distressful life they have built for themselves yet again this worsens the situation rather than making it better.

They excessively get involved in masturbation, pornography, sexual Behavior with Consenting or non-consenting individuals, cybersex, telephone Sex and strip Clubs. It is considered normal for people engaging in these activities once in a while but excess of everything is bad and that’s the only underlying reason for sex addiction. These individuals would go to any lengths or escalating frequency of sexual activity to achieve the desired effect, such as more frequent visits to prostitutes or more sex partners.

It is a cry for help if you or any of your loved ones possess these above mentioned symptoms of hypersexual disorder, it’s understandable and painful to see your loved ones suffer but these individuals do no seek help, it’s a good way to get them to a conference where they can learn a lot about sexual and other kinds of addiction and their available treatment options without feeling any kind of shame. Our aim to organize Integrated Addiction Conference is to help people understand multiple aspects of addiction through extensive lectures and researches done by the scientist from all over the world. If you are looking forward to understand addiction in more detail or you have something valuable to share with the community, now is the chance to get registered with us on the link below and get innumerous benefits along with this conference. The link to registration is http://www.awaremednetwork.com/integrativeaddictionconference/.

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female beauty

Female Sexuality Throughout History And Women Sexual Evolution

March 13, 2016

Female Sexuality Throughout History And Women Sexual Evolution

female sexualityFemale sexuality and female sexual desire has received a decent influx of interest in recent times. There is the curiosity around women sexual evolution which is really a big deal to men. Female sexuality includes processes and behaviors such as sexual behavior, sexual identity which also includes the psychological, physiological, social, cultural, political and spiritual aspects of it. Female sexuality can generally be seen as how females behave sexually. In looking at female sexuality throughout history and women sexual evolution, it has become obvious that there have been large changes in what is seen as the normal or acceptable or the usual as against what we currently see in women today.

For instance, women are seen to be more meticulous and conservative about who they have sex with in the past. They consider the cost and implications. They look out for certain qualities and traits, things that they find attractive and interesting and probably qualities they would love to be passed down to their offspring. Basically, from this point of view, female sexuality would be based on setting up a family. From time in memorial, men has been the ones that are careless when it has to do with sexuality. For men, it is largely about the experience, the pleasure more than the consequences of having sex.

However today, the whole table seems to be turning and men are freaking out. Female sexuality throughout history is not the same as we have now. Women are evolving. They are finding it easier to have sex with just any man who looks right, without considering the consequences. Nowadays, it’s about the pleasure first, before anything. So if a man can do her right, then he can’t get a pass. Friedrich Nietzsche said “Ultimately, it is the desire, not the desired, that we love” which makes it clear that women have now evolved.

In few studies that have been carried out, it has been made clear that the physical and mental responses of heterosexual women to visual presented sexual stimuli is higher. This shows that women’s bodies are specially designed for high interest in sex. However, because men have been the ones who control the sexuality arena, or so it seems, more often than not, women may deliberately shut down their own physical arousal in order to be absent from sexual intercourse. This is as far as it goes within a family setting. However today, women are stepping out to look for the desire and arousal everywhere else.

In recent studies, it appears women have lost interest in sex with their long term partners, their husbands and boyfriends. They are now much more interested in other men or males who can drive the passions they have. They seem to be pretty much interested in one night stands, with no strings attached. This used to be what men do! Men are now very worried when choosing their partners. Since most men attribute authority and ‘manliness’ to the ability to satisfy the desires of their partner, they worry a lot as to who their partner has been with and how well the person was able to sexually arouse her. If a male gets unlucky and marries one of the active females, then chances are that he will be competing with many males that have been in her life. This newfound sexual freedom for women therefore brings a lot of anxiety for males. Technically, for men, women are not supposed to evolve this way.

Males have always shown hallmarks of indiscriminate past – the drive to mate and with whom they mate doesn’t count. They just mate. Since females have had long histories of choice of whom they mate with, they certainly have developed mechanisms they use to measure and evaluate the quality of partners and as such adjust the levels of their desire accordingly. Now where this gets funny is, at some point in their relationship, this partner that used to bring desire ceases to and there is another need for another partner who can bring the required sexual stimulation for them to become sexually interested again.

At a point, if critically looked upon, it looks as if sexual monogamy is not really authentic any longer and marriage should be forgotten but that will be untrue because humans will always require that long-term partnerships. The fact that women have evolved sexually and are now sexually active as much as men doesn’t mean it is good. There just has to be a balance sought in between these things. An understanding of human sexual evolution and how women have always been very sexual will help us approach the thought of women sexual evolution very well.

You are invited to the Aware Med Network Conference where this and many more topics will be discussed deeply.

 

 

 

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AWAREmed Nurse Practitioner alleviates your Pain

Individual hormones description in male and female

February 27, 2016

Individual hormones description in male and female: The three common hormones

Individual hormones

Did you know that individual hormones like estrogen for example is normally production in specific areas like in the ovaries, the follicle around the ovum? If there is any problem, you can always seek for help.

There are several individual hormones in the body performing different functions in the body. we have since understood that hormones are body’s messengers responsible for the effective coordination of all vital repair, recovery and regeneration in the body and without them we cease to live a productive life, meaning that in their absence we simply degenerate. With that knowledge we want to zero in to discussing the individual hormones and particularly the three common ones which may include: estrogen, progesterone and testosterone as follows:

Individual hormones description in male and female: Estrogen

looking at the life of our female gender, the production of estrogen normally takes place in specific areas like in the ovaries, the follicle around the ovum, the adrenal glands, and the fat cells. And even as this production place, it is important to note that as age catches with us the effectiveness of ovaries in the production of estrogen deteriorates and stop producing estrogen on a regular basis, turning the main source for the production of estrogen the adrenal glands located above the kidneys. Any unused testosterone is also transformed into needed estrogen, and even estrogen stored in fat cells is called to action as the ovarian production of estrogen diminishes. Estrogen and progesterone are designed to balance each other, to keep each other in check. Therefore and because of that it is nearly impossible to separate their actions, but for the sake of simplicity; Estrogen makes everything grow, it causes cells to proliferate while progesterone checks this growth, holding cell growth to a limit. The following are some of the positive effects of its action are that it:

  • Causes the uterus lining grow to in readiness for pregnancy.
  • Facilitate the grown of breast tissues in preparation for making milk
  • Prevents bone destruction by bone-destroying cells (osteoclasts)
  • Protects from hypertension by relaxing the lining of blood vessels
  • Stimulates the production of lipoprotein lipase, an enzyme which breaks down fat. The result is low cholesterol levels and good balance between good (HDL) cholesterol and bad (LDL) cholesterol
  • Lowers insulin levels
  • Stimulates body fat accumulation to help the fetus grow
  • Induces relaxation of blood vessels in the circulation in general and heart in particular
  • Causes the ovum to mature inside the ovary to prepare for ovulation
  • Creates the follicle where the egg matures
  • Promotes the growth of the fetus
  • Keeps the vagina, the vulva and the cervix well developed and moisturized
  • Promotes growth of underarm and pubic hair, and pigmentation of the nipples

The negative effects of the growth induced by estrogen unopposed (acting alone), without the balancing effects of progesterone are:

  • Increased risk of gallbladder disease
  • Increased incidence of blood clot formation
  • Increased accumulation of body fat, this is why livestock growers use this hormone
  • Increased water and salt retention
  • Interference with normal insulin release and blood sugar control
  • Increased risk of overgrowth of endometrium (lining of the uterus)
  • Increased risk of overgrowth of breast tissue, and could be a reason for breast cancer
  • Increased risk of depression
  • Increased risk of headaches
  • Increased risk of gallbladder disease
  • Increased incidence of blood clot formation

Individual hormones description in male and female: Progesterone

Progesterone is the parent or precursor of estrogen in the ovaries and the parent to cortisol and aldosterone in the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands manufacture progesterone from its precursor cholesterol. Progesterone is the precursor of testosterone, all androgens, and other adrenal hormones, making it extremely important for reasons far beyond its role as sex hormone, without it we could not cope with stress and our body fluid and kidney control would cease to function. Progesterone functions:

  • Protect the endometrium
  • Insure the optimal function of uterus
  • Prevent water retention
  • Help use fat for energy at the cellular level
  • Serve as a natural anti-depressant
  • Create a calming effect on the body
  • Help eliminate sleep disorders
  • Help keep insulin release in check and maintain even blood sugar levels
  • Prevent unmediated overgrowth of the endometrium/cancer
  • Prevent unmediated breast tissue overgrowth/cancer
  • Maintain sex drive
  • Maintain normal blood clotting parameters
  • Protect against fibrocystic breasts

Progesterone’s negatives are few and easily balanced by estrogen:

  • A sedating effect, if used in excess
  • Increased spotting and changes in bleeding patterns
  • Bloating if used in excess
  • Gastrointestinal discomfort
  • Acne, if used in excess
  • Hyperpigmentation of facial skin when exposed to sunlight

Testosterone

The most important role of testosterone is to provide male characteristics. Although this may appear straight forward, testosterone functions are of significance to women as well. The following are some of the areas where testosterone helps in:

  • Promoting muscle strength and exercise endurance
  • Improving libido
  • Increasing energy levels
  • Improving sense of well-being
  • Increases body hair production
  • Produce enlargement of the clitoris
  • Improve sexual desire and fantasy
  • Improve bone density

Besides the benefits, it also have some demerits or negative effects of testosterone which cones due to overproduction or intake through either testosterone supplementation in pharmaceutical formulations or unsupervised androgen consumption. The side-effects are similar to those of estrogen dominance, since testosterone transforms into estrogen when it is overabundant. The side-effects include:

  • Male pattern baldness
  • Increased facial hair
  • More aggressive behavior
  • Higher cholesterol levels
  • Too much clitoral enlargement

Finally in the past this was not regarded as anything good, nonetheless things are changing and now we are beginning to appreciate the importance of testosterone in men and women while the balance of estrogen and progesterone is highly dependent on a cycle. And as we come to the end of this discussion, we want to help you take the summery of the whole journey we took form the beginning as we started the discussion. And now if you or any of your loved one is struggling with this are you are wondering on what to do. You can therefore schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury for further direction.

http://regenerativepotential.com/integrativeaddictionconference/

 

 

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smoking

Solving addiction worries to know the action point

February 26, 2016

Solving addiction worries by asking to know action point: The most points of concern for many

Solving addiction worries

Solving addiction worries must be prioritize as failing to do so is causing family disintegration at an alarming rate.

Some of the problems we go through are only affecting us because we often don’t ask about them. Do you know that solving addiction worries is possible just by being aggressive by asking questions and getting answers to them? The holy book records that “my people don’t find because they don’t ask” are you struggling with this addiction problem and you are just quite there? We want to help you find answers to your problems. Talking to us at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center should be your starting point. This facility take pride in solving problems and your problem is only a problem because you have not shared it. Would you want to get solutions today? Doctor Dalal Akoury MD, President and founder of this facility want to help you and as you continue reading through this content, you will notice that it is about asking and getting answers. Keep reading and make a healthy decision today to live a more robust and healthy life with the experts.

Solving addiction worries by asking to know action point: Is there a difference between physical dependence and addiction?

The answer to this is absolutely yes. It is important to note that besides the chronic and harmful consequences that come with addiction, it is also characterized by the weakness or failure to stop using that particular drug; neglecting or failure to meet work, social, or family obligations; and, occasionally depending on the drug, tolerance and withdrawal. When tolerance sets in, the consequence is that the of physical dependence meaning that the body adapts to the drug, thereby demanding for more of it to achieve a certain effect (tolerance) and eliciting drug-specific physical or mental symptoms especially where there is a sudden stoppage (withdrawal) of the supply/use of the drug in question.

Physical dependence can happen with the chronic use of many drugs—including many prescription drugs, even if taken as instructed. Thus, physical dependence in and of itself does not constitute addiction, but it often accompanies addiction. This distinction can be difficult to discern, particularly with prescribed pain medications, for which the need for increasing dosages can represent tolerance or a worsening underlying problem, as opposed to the beginning of abuse or addiction.

How do other mental disorders coexisting with drug addiction affect drug addiction treatment?

In response to this concern, it is important first to note that drug addiction is not behavior but a disease of the brain commonly coming with other mental disorders. Available statistics indicate that up to 6 in every 10 people struggling with an illicit substance use disorder equally suffer from another mental illness; the same is true with users of licit drugs like tobacco and alcohol. Many of the people struggling with addiction are also suffering from mental disorders what is medically known as co-occurrence condition 9suffering from tow conditions at the same time). Successful treatment for such patients sometimes become very difficult more so if individual conditions are addressed differently. Because of the intertwined condition, both conditions must be assessed and treatment done simultaneously. Experts are in agreement that treating both illnesses simultaneously in an integrated fashion which is generally the best treatment approach for these patients.

Is the use of medications like methadone and buprenorphine simply replacing one addiction with another?

This is a good question but the answer to that is No. these (Buprenorphine and methadone) are prescription drugs only administered under medical experts authorization, they are taken under strict adherence of medical doctors and are safe and effective for treating opioid addiction when used as directed. They are administered orally or sublingually (i.e., under the tongue) in specified doses, and their effects differ from those of heroin and other abused opioids. Like for instance, heroin is administered through injection, snorting or smoked thereby causing an immediate “rush of intense euphoria. The rush is then short lived and in just a little while it wears off and ends in a “crash.” At the point individual will experience an intense craving to use the drug again to stop the crash and reinstate the euphoria. If this is not managed well the cycle of euphoria, crash, and craving may continue repeated several times in a day. This is often the most painful part or stage of addiction which must be addressed in the best and most professional manner.

Solving addiction worries by asking to know action point: Can exercise play a role in the treatment process?

Many people become less active as they approach their sunset days but this is one of the biggest mistakes we often make. And so in response to the question the answer is “Yes.” Exercise should be done regularly and it is increasingly proving to be one of the most attractive components in many treatment programs more so when combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy. Exercise may exert beneficial effects by addressing psychosocial and physiological needs that nicotine replacement alone does not, by reducing negative feelings and stress, and by helping prevent weight gain following cessation.

How does drug addiction treatment help reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C (HCV)?

Looking at the mode of administration of most of these drugs, they are mostly administered through injection. And one of the characteristic of drugs is that it causes users to lose focus. It is at this point when the damage is done. When users are drunk the will most likely share the needles they use further putting them at more risk of contracting HIN/AIDS and other STDI. Besides that drug-abusing individuals are likely to engage in risky sexual behavior further subjecting them to the risk of contracting these diseases. Finally by now you must have appreciated why solving addiction worries is very important if we have to live a more healthy life. It is our desire to see you enjoy your life for a very long time. Therefore if you or any one you know is struggling with any kind of addiction, you have an opportunity to redeem yourself by scheduling for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury for professional treatment.

http://regenerativepotential.com/integrativeaddictionconference/

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