What is Sex Addiction?
Disclaimer: Though "sex addiction" is not an official diagnosis, the experience of having disruptive compulsions to engage in sexual behavior is real—similar to how people addicted to alcohol or drugs become reliant on those addictive behaviors. Whether sex can be considered an actual addiction or not is still an open discussion between experts.
“Sex addiction is a term that describes any sexual behaviour that feels out of control.”
— NHS
Sex addiction is formally known as “compulsive s€xual behavior disorder (CSBD) or hypers€xuality.” CSBD “refers to a long-standing pattern of repetitive s€xual behaviors, fantasies, and urges.”
🟠 What’s particular about these urges is that they are repetitive and may translate into difficulties in your relationships and daily tasks. “CSBD involves a variety of complex and intense unwanted s€xual behaviors and fantasies that, at times, may become harmful to you and others.”
🟠 CSBD can make these urges the center of your life, potentially leading you to leave other aspects of your life unattended.
Does everyone agree it’s a compulsive disorder? NOPE.
“It has been argued that, although s€x addiction shares features of both an obsessive-compulsive and an impulse control disorder, it does not fit neatly into either of the categories.”
— NHS
Fun fact: the term “s€x addiction” was listed in the past in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), but around the ‘90s, it was taken out. Some argue it has not been incorporated again because of political and cultural reasons.
Some people are reluctant to pathologize s€xual behavior between consenting adults; others worry that s€xual offenders could use such diagnosis to excuse their inappropriate behavior and avoid legal consequences.
Do you think “s€x addiction” should be considered a disorder?
