Neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine play a role in mood regulation. When imbalanced, it can impact your sexual desire and behaviour.
Sex Addiction
The human fascination with sex is an innate imperative, crucial for our species’ survival. Yet, beyond its role in reproduction, sex is a profound source of pleasure, intimacy, and inspiration for many adults. However, if you find yourself battling intrusive and recurring sexual urges that undermine the pleasure of sexual experiences, you might be struggling with what is commonly known as sex addiction.
What is sex addiction?
Sexual addiction also known as compulsive sexual behaviour (CSB) describes a condition marked by compulsive seeking, observing, or engaging in sexual activities, particularly sexual intercourse, often resorting to extreme measures to fulfil desires or fantasies, despite negative consequences.
Is sex addiction really an “addiction”?
While experts continue to debate whether compulsive sexual behaviour (CSB) constitutes an addiction, “sexual addiction” is not yet recognized as a distinct disorder in official diagnostic frameworks. Only recently, in 2018, CSB was classified as a mental health disorder in the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases list (ICD-11). However, placed in the section on impulsive disorders rather than addictive disorders, it is characterized by “a persistent pattern of failure to control intense, repetitive sexual impulses or urges resulting in repetitive sexual behaviour.” It is important to note that sexual addiction is not about the number of sexual partners or frequency of sexual encounters but refers to a “central focus of the person’s life to the point of neglecting health and personal care or other interests, activities, and responsibilities.”
Language matters
Even in the absence of a formally recognized diagnosis of sex addiction, CSB remains a formidable challenge for those affected, often leading to significant emotional distress and other adverse consequences. The fact that there isn’t scientific proof linking CSB to addiction doesn’t mean your symptoms and concerns aren’t real or valid.
What causes sex addiction?
Sex addiction can affect people of all ages and for various reasons. While the precise causes are not fully understood, potential factors may include:
Imbalance of mood-regulating chemicals in the brain
Changes in brain pathways
CSB can lead to changes in neural circuits over time, often requiring progressively more intense sexual content and stimulation to achieve satisfaction or relief.
Conditions impacting brain regions controlling sexual behaviour
Conditions like dementia, epilepsy, and bipolar disorder can damage brain areas regulating sexual behaviour. Additionally, certain medications used to treat Parkinson’s disease may induce CSB.
Dual Diagnosis & co-occurring disorders
Those struggling with sex addiction often experience a co-occurring disorder alongside their compulsive behaviour. Depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse are particularly common in this group, as individuals may use drugs or alcohol to alleviate inhibitions, cope with feelings of shame and guilt, or mitigate symptoms of depression.
Childhood experiences
One’s family background and childhood experiences of trauma can deeply influence the development of sex addiction later in life. It’s striking that up to 72% of individuals with sex addiction have experienced physical abuse during childhood, with 81% exposed to sexual abuse.[i] This highlights the significance of addressing unresolved traumas and past emotional pain in the treatment of sex addiction.
Signs & Symptoms
According to the ICD-11, signs of CSB include:
- significant preoccupation with sexual fantasies, impulses, and behaviours
- engaging in repetitive sexual activities, such as frequent use of impersonal sources like pornography or cybersex, without emotional engagement
- unsuccessful attempts to control sexual urges
- experiencing sex addiction symptoms for six months or longer
It is important to recognize that not everyone living with sex addiction will exhibit the same symptoms or experience them with the same intensity.
What are the risks?
Excessive sexual behaviour can lead to a harmful escalation, posing significant risks to your health, intimate partners, and close family members, including children:
Health risks
Engaging in promiscuous sex can lead to the transmission of various diseases, including HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, human papillomavirus, and syphilis.
Legal consequences
Participating in illicit sexual activities such as public exposure or having non-consensual sexual contact may lead to fines, imprisonment, and other legal penalties.
Financial strain
You are at risk of spending extensively on pornography, prostitution, strip clubs, telephone sex lines, and other costly outlets to seek gratification.
Career threats
If you, for instance, use company computers to browse pornographic websites or risk disciplinary action, your sexual addiction can result in demotion or job loss.
Losing trust and intimacy
While behaviours linked to sex addiction often lack emotional connection, they can still erode intimate relationships, shattering a partner’s trust. Yielding to sexual urges necessitates secrecy or dishonesty, fostering suspicion even in a stable marriage or partnership.
Damaging family bonds
When sex addiction results in marital conflict or divorce, the entire family is affected. Parents may lose custody of their children and, subsequently, their children’s trust and respect.
Substance abuse
To alleviate feelings of guilt, shame, and remorse drugs or alcohol may appear as convenient aids. They may also tempt you to bypass psychological barriers that would otherwise hinder you from acting on your fantasies.
When is sex addiction a problem? When should I seek help?
While sex addiction may involve activities common to a healthy sex life – such as masturbation, pornography, phone sex, and multiple partners – it becomes worrisome when these behaviours take over your life, causing distress for both yourself and others, and hindering daily responsibilities. If you are uncertain about seeking help, consider the following questions:
- Can I control my sexual impulses?
- Do I feel distressed by my sexual behaviours?
- Are my relationships suffering, is my work affected, or am I experiencing serious consequences like legal trouble?
- Do I feel the need to hide my sexual behaviour?
We understand that seeking help for sex addiction can be challenging due to its personal and private nature, but try to set aside any shame or embarrassment. Remember that many people struggle with this issue, and you’re not alone.
NEOVIVA’s approach to sex addiction treatment
At NEOVIVA, our therapists are here to help manage your sex addiction. We treat the underlying causes of your compulsive sexual behaviour, utilising individual and group psychotherapeutic approaches to look at how traumatic experiences and childhood events have structured your interpersonal relationships and the presence of negative emotions such as shame. We also offer medical interventions such as psychiatric management and rTMS to reduce the intensity of compulsive behaviour.
Reach out to learn more about our approach to treatment for compulsive behaviours like sex addiction.