• What is Sexual Addiction?

    Sexual addiction is the term that refers to sex or other types of sexuality that are carried out more often than what is considered normal. Often, this means that sexuality is, in some way, negatively affecting a person’s life. Many people with sexual addiction feel that their sexuality is out of control and that they can’t control their own sexual urges.

    People who struggle with sexual addiction often attend sexual addiction counselling. While some experts feel that sexual addiction is its own disorder, others think that it’s part of OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder. There are a number of researchers who feel that sexual addiction has something to do with the need for constant stimulation and is a type of thrill seeking.

    Unfortunately, sexual addiction is commonly found to be linked to other types of mental health problems. Conditions like depression, low self-esteem and hyperactivity are often found in conjunction with sexual addiction. Sometimes sexual addiction is found to be the result of abuse. Often, sexual addiction negatively affects both relationships and normal daily routines.

    People who have sexual addiction are preoccupied with sexuality and sexual behaviors. This makes it difficult to find or hold down a regular job. It’s also problematic to have a healthy romantic relationship or even to maintain friendships. Relationships with family members also become strained. In severe cases, basic daily needs cannot even be met because of the preoccupation with sexuality. Out of control sexual behavior can lead to risky behavior that puts both mental heath and physical health in jeopardy.

    There are various types of treatments for sexual addiction. Many times, people cannot "cure" themselves on their own, even though they've tried several times before. Support groups are one type of common therapy. For those who don’t feel comfortable discussing their problem in a face-to-face setting, online support groups are also available. Some mental health professionals offer counseling for people who struggle with sexual addiction. Medication is not typically prescribed to treat sexual addiction, unless a doctor finds that the addiction is linked to another problem that would benefit from medication.