Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsSigns in OthersCausesTreatmentSelf-SoothingEffectsAdditional Resources
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Signs in Others
Causes
Treatment
Self-Soothing
Effects
Additional Resources
Sex addictionis an enduring pattern of repetitive and intense sexual impulses, urges, or thoughts that lead to excessive sexual behaviors.Sex addiction differs from having ahigh sex drive, which involves a heightened interest or desire for sexual activity.People with sex addiction compulsively act on their urges and desires, sometimes to the detriment of their mental and physical health and relationships.Other terms used for “sex addiction” include “hypersexuality,” “compulsive sexual behavior disorder,” “sexual compulsivity,” “hypersexual disorder,” or “sexual addiction disorder.”
This article covers the signs and symptoms of sex addiction, its causes and consequences, and how therapy may help treat sex addiction.
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Is sex addiction a real diagnosis?Though sex addiction is not recognized as a distinct disorder in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition(DSM-5), it can still be diagnosed using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), which defines the condition as compulsive sexual behavior disorder.
Is sex addiction a real diagnosis?
Though sex addiction is not recognized as a distinct disorder in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition(DSM-5), it can still be diagnosed using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), which defines the condition as compulsive sexual behavior disorder.
Symptoms: Do I Have a Sex Addiction?
Knowing the signs of potential sex addiction can help you determine whether your sexual impulses and behaviors might be more than just a high libido. Symptoms of sex addiction can vary from person to person and may include:
Addictive Personality: Traits, Red Flags, and Risk Factors
Signs of Sex Addiction in Other People
Having a high libido and thinking about sex frequently doesn’t necessarily mean someone has a sex addiction. But certain signs may point to a sex addiction in others, including:
What Is Libido (Sex Drive)?
Sex Addiction Causes: Pleasure, Impulse, or Something Else?
The exact cause of sex addiction and compulsive sexual behaviors is poorly understood. Though it remains an area of ongoing research, experts suggest that several factors likely play a role in the development of sex addiction, including:
Because sexual behaviors initially lead to euphoria, pleasure, and stress relief, some people grow to depend on and crave those feelings as a means of escape or to cope with life’s stressors. Engaging in compulsive sexual behaviors may lead to a rewiring of neural pathways that reinforce the addiction cycle.
Sex Addiction: How to Overcome Compulsions
Addressing Sex Addiction in Therapy
Addressing sex addiction requires a comprehensive approach, including therapy, to uncover the underlying causes and develop coping strategies. Mental health providers, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, and sex therapists, use specific therapeutic approaches totreat sex addiction, including:
Signs of a Behavioral Addiction
How to Self-Soothe With a Sex Addiction
Navigating the challenges of sex addiction can be daunting, but finding ways to manage andself-sootheduring difficult moments is an empowering way to reduce psychological distress and improve your overall well-being. Adopting healthy habits to replace compulsive sexual behaviors can take time and patience, and you may need to try different methods until you find what works best for you, such as:
What Is Self-Care and Why Is It Important?
Effects of Sex Addiction
Sex addiction can have far-reaching consequences, affecting everything from physical and mental health to relationships, work, and finances. Being preoccupied with sexual thoughts and acts may interfere with daily responsibilities, hobbies, and social interactions, worsening your quality of life.
Partners of individuals struggling with sex addiction often experience profound emotional distress, including feelings of betrayal, low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. When one partner has a sex addiction, it can lead to a breakdown in trust, communication difficulties, and deterioration in emotional intimacy.
Though not everyone with a sex addiction engages ininfidelity, the impulsive nature of the sexual urges and desires can increase the likelihood of straying from committed relationships. The secrecy surrounding sex addiction and infidelity further erodes trust and causes emotional turmoil for both partners.
Sex addiction can also have physical health consequences. Engaging in risky sexual behaviors, such as unprotected sex with multiple partners, can increase your risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Many people with a sex addiction also turn to drugs and alcohol and developsubstance use disordersto cope, which can cause long-term health problems.
Programs, Resources, and Support
Facing sex addiction, whether it’s your own struggle or that of a loved one, can be overwhelming and isolating. You don’t have to face it alone. Numerous programs, resources, and sources of support are available to guide you and your loved ones toward healing and recovery.
Support for People With Sex Addiction
If you are seeking support for sex addiction, consider the following:
Support for Partners and Loved Ones
Loving someone with a sex addiction can be emotional and complex. Support and education can help you address your loved one’s addiction and its consequences on your life, as follows:
Helplines
Interpreting Sexual Dreams: Can They Tell Us Anything?
Summary
Sex addiction, or compulsive sexual behavior disorder, is a long-lasting pattern of excessive thoughts, urges, or desires that lead to compulsive sexual behaviors. Living with a sex addiction can take a toll on your emotional and physical well-being, strain your relationships, and affect your professional life.
The first step to healing from sex addiction is acknowledging the problem. Working with a licensed mental health professional can help you understand the root causes of sex addiction, which may include unresolved trauma, emotional struggles, or co-occurring mental health disorders. With the proper treatment and support, it is possible to overcome sex addiction, live a fulfilling life, and build healthy relationships based on trust, respect, and emotional connection.
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