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make start pageAre you sexually addicted? |
Apr 03, 2008 |
Healthy humans have sexual desires and often low libido is an indicator of a problem either related to psychological or physical factors. However, for many people sexual activity may become a real addiction having negative consequences. Where is the borderline between healthy sexual drive and sexual addiction?
Signs of sexual addiction
First of all, sexual addiction is similar to any other addition, like drugs or alcohol addiction. You might suppose sex addiction if:
- You are constantly focused on having sex, being unable to stop or limit sexual activity
- Your sexual activity interferes with other aspects of your life (work, relationships, family)which become neglected
- You spend a lot of time on sex and activities related to sex (cyber sex, watching pornography etc)
- You engaging in sexual activity that is potentially detrimental, like having health risks and leading to problems in relationships
- You have feelings of guilt and irritability, being unable to stop the sexual activity even knowing it might be inappropriate.
If you notice three or more of the above mentioned symptoms, you are probably having problem with sex addiction.
For many addicts, their sexual behavior is limited to excessive masturbation and use of internet pornography or phone sex. In some cases, the consequences may be more serious when a person becomes obsessed with exhibitionism, unsafe sex, multiple affairs, child molestation and rape, though sex addicts do not necessarily become offenders.
It is important to make difference between sexual addiction and high sexual drive. First of all, a sexually addicted person is first of all in search of pleasure without having feelings of intimacy or any attachment to another person.
Very often after the addict obtained some sexual release, he or she feels guilty and ashamed and promises to never repeat this again. Sexual addict needs sexual pleasure just the same way a drug addict needs drugs. Also, it becomes difficult for him or her to feel really satisfied after sexual contact. For example, woman may constantly feel the dissatisfaction in spite of the fact that she had sequence of orgasms and multiple partners.
How to deal with sexual addiction?
Sexually addictive men and women rarely seek for help as they are unable to control their behavior. Often, their spouse or other family members report about the problem when sexual addiction leads to a threat of divorce or the loss of a job.
If you are a family member or a friend dealing with sexual addiction of your significant other, you might need to realize that this is an illness and if you want to make change in this situation, you might need to stay critical when overcoming the problem.
Treatment of sexual addiction often involves therapy to develop healthy sexuality. Sexual addicts may need to go for individual counseling and marital therapy. In some cases, medications may help in dealing with sexual addiction.
