Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Is sex addiction legitimate?
According to an article in Medical News Today, sex addiction is indeed a legitimate mental illness. Because of today's society, the legitimacy associated with sex addiction is often questionable. Like high-profile cases, such as Tiger Woods, has caused many American's to believe that sex addiction is essentially an "excuse" or a made up medical reason for cheating. However, according to "Sex Addiction Is a Legitimate Mental Disorder", in Medical News Today, these assumptions are not true. Researchers from UCLA finally conducted research on "hypersexual disorder". The findings of this study was published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine. In order to be legitimately suffering from hypersexual disorder (aka sex addiction) one must experience several fantasies, behaviors, or urges lasting upwards of 6 months. They must also show changes in moods when dealing with sexual activity because most sex "addicts" use sexual activity as a way to manage stress. To assess these standards, they studied 207 participants throughout many mental health facilities. Other findings from this study revealed that, 17% of the patients lost their jobs at least once due to sexually related issues, 28% developed a sexually transmitted disease, 39% lost a valuable relationship, and 78% had a disruption in healthy sexual activity. Many of these patients also admitted to participating in sexual activities with prostitutes, "sex workers" and partners they did not know.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/251803.php
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I definitely agree that sexual addiction is real. The only problem is diagnosing it. Its completely normal for people to indulge themselves in sexual activities, and hypersexuality is strongly associated with other psychological activities.
ReplyDeleteOne point I did notice in the article was that it mentioned that it linked hypersexual activity to other behavioral issues. In fact, all of their data came from mental health facilities, and all the people were suffering some other condition. Is it possible to only suffer from hypersexuality? If so I would be more interested in a more refined experiment. Many of the patients this study used, were using sex as a means to cope with other issues, so their sexual activity was not the root of the problem. They are still in fact, suffering from hypersexuality, because their using sex time and time again as a means to help with anxiety and depression. However, I just wonder is there a person suffering from hypersexuality in which sex is the root of the problem. Meaning, their is not other problem the therapist can fix which would inadvertently cease the hypersexual behavior, like depression.
If this even exist, do you think it would be a mental problem or a physiological problem (like an in-balance in hormone levels or a abnormality in the brain)?
I also agree that sex addiction is a real disorder, but I also think that it could be easily avoided/suppressed (in some instances). Of course there are always going to be extreme cases due to genetic psychological issues, but I feel that most cases of "sex addiction" stem from suppressed acknowledgement of sexual desires.
ReplyDeleteIf you think about it, sex is not only natural, but also one of the basis' of life (along with food, water, and air). There is always going to be a drive for sex and it is something that we need for survival. That being said, why is it that society cannot openly talk about sex without it being seen as inappropriate, a raunchy comedy, or simply looked down upon. If sex is so essential to our fundamental life, it seems that it should be more healthy talked about in society.
This is where I believe the disorder comes in. When sex, sex drives, and sexual tension are suppressed then it seems to me you are going to develop a psychological disorder. Sex is something that you (for the most part) can essentially have control over in your life. each individual person can have their own view and control of their "sex-life."
I would like to see the results of a study that consisted of two groups that were diagnosed with "sex addiction." One group would have daily meetings where they could openly talk about sex with their group, while the other group did not have this open communication about sex. I would like to see if the group who openly talked about sex could be "cured" or at least suppressed from their "addiction."
I do believe that sexual addiction is a real disorder, however, I do think there is a bit of a gray area when it comes to sexual addiction. First, obviously sex is an enjoyable act so why would people not want to do it all the time. However, I also believe that there is a natural, primitive need to have a sex, pass on your genes to your offspring, and to continue the human race, just as wolves and elephants and every other animals does. Therefore, I feel that it is hard to distinguish between sexual addiction and the drive to continue your race or even your family name. However, sexual addiction does have a particular characteristic that makes it stand out, the obsession of having sex. Sexual addiction constitutes an addiction to sex, the act itself, rather than the implications of the act. A specific focus is spent on the actual sex itself and the sensations associated with it. It is a high rather than an emotional or biological act. This is where the obsession turns to addiction.
ReplyDeleteI believe that becoming addicted to sex can be as easy as becoming addicted to any drug. During sexual activity, the brain is stimulated to release hormones and chemicals in a similar manner to how the brain is stimulated while using drugs. This stimulation can be addictive whether the person is using cocaine or having sex. I think that this finding is important in other aspects of life as well. If people can be clinically addicted to sex, then why could they not be chemically addicted to eating? I believe the same principles apply. I do agree with everyone saying that it would be difficult to diagnose conditions like these, but they would have to be treated the same way that other addictions are treated. However, at the end of the day, no addict is able to get help unless they themselves realize that there is an issue with a behavior and want to seek help to fix it.
ReplyDeleteI agree that sexual addiction/hypersexual disorder is a legitimate mental health issue. The criteria are very well developed and were obviously successful in distinguishing this issue from other issues like depression, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse issues. I do wish they had explained how exactly they tested this--questionnaires, interviews, etc. I just think that would be interesting.
ReplyDeleteI do like how the article provided for the ups and downs of the sexual lives of humans. Sometimes there is more of a biological need for it than others. This can be the result of stress, and other issues that come up in life.
I would like to read more about how this disorder will be treated. Of course, there will be some variability from patient to patient. I agree with Kelly Murphy in that there will likely be an improvement when open discussion is encouraged. If we are constantly holding in urges for sex because society deems it inappropriate, it is understandable that this has become an issue. That study would definitely be an interesting one to pursue.