Sex Addiction – An Overview of a Complex Issue

One of the most significant problems in terms of identifying and treating sex addiction is the fact that it’s so difficult to define and diagnose. In spite of the fact that it’s a well-known, documented and profoundly life-affecting condition, it’s still relatively poorly understood. Scientists and doctors alike are still struggling to conclusively say why it’s that certain people seem to be more prone to sex addiction than others, along with what exactly triggers sex addiction in the first place and why certain treatment approaches are effective for some people and ineffective for others.

Suffice to say then, when and where the need presents itself to seek sex addiction counselling in Kent could be a tricky question to answer. The fact that there’s no concrete medical diagnostic approach for identification of sex addiction makes it very difficult for anybody suspecting they might have a problem to arrive at such a conclusion and seek professional help. Nonetheless, by understanding the core specifics of sex addiction and the whole concept, the subject can be made significantly less difficult to approach.

Sex Addiction Vs Porn Addiction

For instance, one of the key clarifications to make right away is that of how porn addiction and sex addiction are most definitely not the same thing. In spite of the fact that porn addiction can be hugely detrimental and lead to a series of negative psychological and physical health effects, it’s in no way the same as sex addiction.

Sex Addiction Comes in Different Forms

One of the factors that make sex addiction so tricky to identify and treat is the way there are a large number of different types of sex addiction. Therefore, the very term “sex addiction is an important extent as vague as for example “drug addiction” wherein the specific drug at the heart of the addiction problem determines the effects on the individual and the needed treatment.

In the case of sex addictions, just a small sample of common types include:

In the case of sex addiction, a small sample of common variations include:

• Prostitution
• Fantasy or Masturbation
• Masochistic or sadistic behaviour
• Voyeurism / Exhibitionism
• Other excessive sexual pursuits

How Can Sex Addiction Be Diagnosed?

This is of course the single most difficult question to answer of all, as while there is a wide variety of emotional and physical symptoms linked to sex addiction, symptoms can vary hugely from one individual to the next. What is more, what might represent an addictive behavioural habit in one person might in fact be completely normal in the case of another. The crucial point of importance being to identify when and where sex and sexual habits and behaviour in general begin to have a negative effect either on the person or those around them. This is usually when an intervention might be called for.

Some of the obvious emotional symptoms of sex addiction include inability to focus or manage daily life as a result with complete preoccupation with sex, the desire to engage in aggressive or unusual sexual activities, compulsion to participate in sexual activities you receive no pleasure from but can’t say “no” to and in general putting sex before the wellbeing and happiness of loved ones. Simply put, when sexual activities stop being a pleasure and become an obsession or a chore, it might be time to seek professional help.

The Dangers of Sex Addiction

There are some potentially harmful consequences that are associated with a wide variety of sex addiction types, both emotional and physical in nature. Along with the strong possibility of alienating loved ones and experiencing a decline in both domestic and social relationships, studies suggest that nearly half of all women and men diagnosed with cases of sex addiction carry sexually transmitted diseases. Additionally, almost 70% of women diagnosed with sex addiction have had at least one unplanned pregnancy.

For people who increasingly seek violent, aggressive or masochistic sexual encounters as gratification become more difficult, the likelihood of suffering serious body harm inherently increases. Diagnosed sex addicts are also known to be significantly more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorders, along with a proclivity for falling into alcohol and drug addiction.

Should there be the slightest doubt or concern in the mind of any person that they or somebody close to them might be suffering from sex addiction, therapy should be sought as soon as possible to maximise the effectiveness of treatment.