Sex Addiction and Risky Behaviors
Sex addiction can also be termed as sexual addiction; it is a state wherein a person is typically found in compulsive engagement in sexual activities and sexual intercourse. Although there are many negative consequences of this addiction, the affected person continues to feel the desire to pursue sexual acts and participate in related risky activities.
As opposed to a person who has a healthy sex life, sex addicts tend to spend most of their time engaging in unhealthy behaviors or seeking the thrill of risky acts. These activities are kept a secret from their friends and family members.
Generally, when a person is unable to control these sexual urges, thoughts, and behaviors, this obsession is seen as sex addiction. Unless there is a successful intervening event, sex addicts are unable to resist problematic sexual behavior. Due to this, in most cases, their professional and personal relationships suffer to a great extent.
If unable to control these sexual impulses, there are increased chances of coming in contact with sexually transmitted diseases and infections, some as serious as HIV. It has been clinically observed that people who become sex addicts, use sex as a way to escape from debilitating mental states and situations, which includes the following:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Social Isolation
- Depression
- Emotional Issues
- Psychological Problems
Defining Characteristic of Sex Addiction
It has become a point of debate between different certified sex addiction therapist (CSAT), psychologists, psychiatrists, and other specialists, if whether compulsive sexual behavior can be considered sex addiction or not. Due to this, there is not an established diagnosis in the DSM-5, that classifies a person as a sex addict.
Therefore, there is differentiating criteria of diagnosis for sex addiction. Below are some common defining characteristics of sex addicts that have become detrimental issues in people’s lives;
- When a person feels lonely or depressed, they engage themselves in excessive masturbation.
- When a person is alone, they engage themselves in different forms of sexual acts with virtual sex performers, phone sex, or internet pornography.
- When a person has a constant urge to participate in sexual intercourse due to shame, regret, anxiety, or depression.
- When a person carries out extramarital affairs, just to maintain their sexual urges.
- When a person engages in sexual intercourse with multiple partners in a single day or over a short period of time.
- When a person’s life gets dominated by sex and related activities in place of living.
- When a person gets involves in public sex, exhibitionism, or voyeurism.
- When a person visits a sex clubs or seeks out prostitute or escorts, on a regular basis due to anxiety, shame, low self-esteem, and other psychological issues.
Understanding & Managing the Urges of Sex Addiction
Thankfully, sex addiction can be understood and managed by effective treatments and therapies. If a person seeks medical and professional helps from a certified sex addiction therapist (CSAT), psychologist, or psychiatrist, then problematic sexual behaviors can become rectified. Depending upon the causes and severity, short-term or long-term treatment is recommended to patients. Many find that individual or group therapy combined with an active lifestyle centered around a healthy diet, helps sex addicts control their urges and manage a life outside of promiscuity and risky behaviors.
