What is sex addiction? One definition is: “the behavior of a person who has an unusually intensive sex drive or an obsession with sex.” With sex constantly controlling their thoughts, relationships with others are difficult.http://www.medicinenet.com/sexual_addiction/article.htm

This article on How to Diagnose Sex Addiction will examine the symptoms of sexual addiction and possible causes. It will also discuss how screening is done and a diagnosis is reached.

Another source describes sexual addiction “as a progressive intimacy disorder characterized by compulsive sexual thoughts and acts.” Its negative impact on the relationships of the individual increases as the addiction progresses. Just like an addiction to drugs where more drugs are needed to get the same high, sex addicts increase their addictive behavior over time to get the same effect. http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/what-is-sexual-addiction/

Having risky sexual behavior can put the person at risk for injury, both emotionally and physically. It can also interfere with work and social activities. Sometimes it progresses to criminal acts like exhibitionism, molestation, voyeurism, or making obscene phone calls.http://www.medicinenet.com/sexual_addiction/article.htm

About 55% of sex offenders can be classified as sex addicts, however 71% of child molesters fall under that classification.http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/what-is-sexual-addiction/ Putting them in prison is sometimes the only way to protect society from them. Not all sex addicts are sex offenders. For some it involves masturbation, pornography, phone sex, and escort services.

It used to be thought that the reason sex offenders committed crimes of rape was only for power, control, anger, or dominance. Newer discoveries in brain functions show that sex crimes can also be motivated by sex drives that are very powerful. Unlike other addictions such as drugs, alcohol and gambling, which people can live without, sex is important to the survival of man. While some people choose to be celibate, in most cases a low sex drive is a sign of medical or psychiatric problems.http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/what-is-sexual-addiction/

People suffering from sex addiction receive little pleasure from the sexual acts and form no emotional ties to their sexual partners. They often suffer extreme guilt and shame for their behaviors but are unable to control them. Even when they are in danger of being exposed, the sexual acts continue. Two criteria are used to determine sexual behavior as addiction: the first is failure to control behavior time after time, and the other is continuing the behavior even when it has negative consequences. Approximately one-third of people with obsessive-compulsive disorder suffer from sexual addiction. See How to Diagnose Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and How to Treat Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Treatment for sex addictions will be discussed in How to Treat Sex Addiction.http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/display/article/10168/55141?verify=0

Although it is not completely understood what causes people to become sex addicts, it is believed there is something abnormal about the biochemistry of the brain. Because antidepressants and psychotropic medications help people with sex addiction, supports this theory. It is thought that drugs, food, and sex are controlled by the area of our brain that controls rationality, judgment, and higher thinking. The part of the brain that tells us that food is good to feed our hunger, also tell the addict that illicit sex is good. The sex addict’s brain then tells them that compulsive sexual behaviors are all right no matter what the consequences and there is no need to limit these behaviors. This biochemical theory helps to explain why reasonable, intelligent people drop everything in their lives to follow their addiction.http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/what-causes-sexual-addiction/

Sex addicts use sex like alcoholics use alcohol. They use it to relieve stress, avoid feelings from things they don’t want to deal with, or just to gain pleasure. They promise to change and can’t. They feel shame and guilt.http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/what-causes-sexual-addiction/

It is estimated that approximately 80% of sex addicts came from families that have relatives suffering from addictions. Many of the sex addicts are also substance abusers. A large percentage of sex addicts reported coming from dysfunctional homes with approximately 82% reporting sexual abuse as children. Parents were strict and did not appear to care about the child.http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/what-causes-sexual-addiction/

There are many behaviors that could be a sign of sex addiction. While these behaviors don’t necessarily mean the person is addicted, they may show the person has some type of sexual dysfunction.http://www.medicinenet.com/sexual_addiction/article.htm

- Compulsive masturbation which may start as masturbation before bedtime to relieve stress, soon may begin to occur more times each day. Eventually it even occurs in the work place and is totally out of control. The person simply cannot control their behavior.

- Multiple affairs or extra-marital affairs may also be seen in sex addicts. In recent events, there has been news of some celebrities going into sexual addiction treatment. The amount of affairs that were occurring definitely showed signs of sexual dysfunction of some kind.

- Multiple one-night stands or anonymous sexual partners represent the intimacy issues that are a part of sexual addiction.

- Pornography addiction to the extreme which takes the person away from the intimate relationship a person should have with their partner is a sign of possible sexual addiction.

- Engaging in unprotected, risky sex which could lead to contracting STDs, HIV, Hepatitis C, or herpes and put their partner at risk, are a sign of sexual addiction.

- Internet or phone sex which occurs frequently that interferes with the intimacy between partners and robs time from that relationship is another sign of a sexual problem.

- Seeking sex from prostitutes is another sign of intimacy problems.

- Exhibitionism, such as flashing or exposing one’s genitals in public, is something that often occurs in cases of sexual addiction.

- Stalking, voyeurism, or other watching behaviors show signs of a problem.

- Sexual harassment and excessive personal ad dating can also be precursors to sexual addiction.

- Molestation and rape are criminal acts which may or may not occur as a result of sexual addiction, but definitely show sexual dysfunction.

There are several screening tests that are used to test for both sexual compulsivity and sexual addiction.http://www.sexhelp.com/sast.cfm One of the most common tests is referred to as the SAST test. There is also one specifically for women. http://www.ncsac.org/addicts/addict_womens_test.aspx While these tests can be important in helping you determine whether you have an addiction problem or not, professional help should be sought. There are two issues these tests address which are helpful in determining if an individual is suffering from sexual addiction: inability to control their behavior and continuing harmful behavior no matter what the consequences are.http://www.searchmedica.com/resource.html?rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.psychiatrictimes.com%2Fdisplay%2Farticle%2F10168%2F1416827&q=%22sexual+addiction%22&c=ps&ss=psychTimesLink&p=Convera&fr=true&ds=0&srid=1

The DSM-IV-TR does not have formal diagnostic criteria specifically for sexual addiction, but follows the rules for addictive disorders. Having at least three of the following behaviors during the same one year period which lead to distress or impairment suggests sexual addiction:http://zennie2005.blogspot.com/2010/03/is-sexual-addiction-recognized-clinical.html

- Frequently engaging in more sex and with more partners than originally intended.

- Being preoccupied with or persistently craving sex; wanting to cut down and/or unsuccessfully attempting to limit sexual activity.

- Thinking of sex to the detriment of other activities such as work, or family or friends, or continually engaging in excessive sexual acts despite a desire to stop.

- Spending considerable time engaging in sexual activities such as searching for partners, viewing pornographic materials, or visiting pornographic web sites.

- Continually engaging in the sexual behavior despite negative consequences, such as failing relationships, unmet work obligations, or potential health risks.

- Escalating scope or frequency of sexual activity to achieve the desired ‘high’, such as increased number or variety of sexual partners, or more time spent at places such as strip clubs, or swingers’ bars.

- Feeling irritable or depressed when unable to engage in the desired sexual behavior.

Whether a pattern of sexual behavior qualifies as sexual addiction is determined not by the type of behavior, its object, its frequency, or its social acceptability, but by how the behavior relates to and affects a person’s life.http://www.searchmedica.com/resource.html?rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.psychiatrictimes.com%2Fdisplay%2Farticle%2F10168%2F1416827&q=%22sexual+addiction%22&c=ps&ss=psychTimesLink&p=Convera&fr=true&ds=0&srid=1

Sexual addiction can occur as part of another psychiatric disorder like OCD, bipolar disorder, substance dependence, or personality disorders. In this case, both diagnoses should be included.http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/display/article/10168/55141?verify=0

The content on this page is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Speak with a qualified heath care professional to ensure that you have the most accurate information regarding any mental health diagnosis.