Sex desire is normal. But when sexual thoughts, desires, urges or behaviors can’t be controlled, it is usually a mental health condition called sex addiction. Like other addictions, sex addiction can cause distress and harm to all aspects of your life, including your relationships, finances and overall health. Sex addiction is also called hypersexuality, compulsive sexual behavior, hypersexuality disorder, sexual compulsivity or sexual impulsivity.
Sex addiction involves compulsive behaviors that can occur in solitude or with partners, including chronic masturbation, pornography, phone or cyber sex, sex with multiple partners and sex with anonymous partners.
Like other addictions, sexual addictions involves an intense and uncontrollable craving. Instead of drugs or alcohol, the patient has an overwhelming need to engage in sexual behavior. Patients return to this behavior, even when it causes negative impacts on their lives.
An estimated 3 to 10% of the U.S. population suffers from hypersexuality. It begins, on average, at around 18 years of age, but most people won’t seek treatment until later in life.
Signs and Symptoms of Sex Addiction
Although there’s no established criteria for hypersexuality, these symptoms are commonly seen in people with sexual addiction:
- obsession with sex;
- frequent masturbate (once to several times daily);
- frequently watch pornography;
- frequently use of sexual services (phone sex, cyber sex, strip clubs OnlyFans, etc.);
- engages in reckless sexual activity;
- engages in sexual behaviors that goes against personal values, religious beliefs or what society deems appropriate;
- inability to stop sexual behavior despite negative consequences to your finances, relationships, health or emotions.
If you think you may have sexual addiction, the best course of action is to meet with a qualified counselor. Counselors who deal with sexual addiction can help you analyze your behaviors and create a treatment plan for dealing with your mental health condition. To get started, make an appointment today.
Getting started takes just a few minutes and we can usually see new patients in as little as 3 days.
Making an appointment is quick and easy. After you submit your request, our office staff will send you information on how to fill out new patient paperwork, gather necessary documentation, and confirm your appointment. If it’s currently normal business hours, we’re usually in touch within one to two hours. Our goal is to see new patients within 3 days, although appointment availability may be influenced and limited by factors like your insurance plan and if you’d like to see a specific counselor.
