Engaging in sexual activity is enjoyable, and a lot of people desire to engage in it more often. However, uncontrolled sexual desires and actions can lead to the formation of undesirable patterns that can be problematic and detrimental to a person’s life. The pattern of behavior formed is regarded as sexual addiction. The definition of sexual addiction is, however, shrouded with lots of controversies. There is also a lack of consensus regarding the diagnosis of sexual addiction. The absence of robust empirical research on sexual addiction is amongst the reasons as to why sexual addiction was not classified as an addictive disorder in the DSM-5 manual (George et al., 2018). The lack of a common approach in addressing sexual addiction and the concealed nature of its symptoms are some of the reasons why counselors should be well informed on this topic. This paper discusses the different aspects of sexual addiction viz behavioral symptoms, psychological, physiological, and medical issues, and the potential consequences of sexual addiction.
Despite the lack of consensus regarding the diagnosis of sexual addiction, an in-depth understanding of some of the behavioral symptoms associated with sexual addiction can help in identifying individuals suffering from sexual addiction. According to Mayo Clinic (n.d.) and George et al. (2018), individuals may be said to be suffering from sexual addiction if they exhibit the following behavioral symptoms. The symptoms include uncontrollable sexual fantasies and behavior that take up lots of one’s time and unsuccessful attempts to control sexual urges and behavior. Besides, individuals may utilize sexual behavior to escape other issues such as depression. Other behavioral symptoms are continued indulgence in sexual practices that may have potentially adverse consequences and difficulties in establishing robust relationships.
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Various psychological, physiological and medical issues may be associated with sexual addiction. The mental and emotional well-being of an individual struggling with sexual addiction may be impacted. Examples of psychological problems related to sexual addiction include distress, severe anxiety, and depression (Mayo Clinic, n.d.). Sexual addiction may result from or lead to these psychological effects. In extreme scenarios, sex addicts who also have depression may contemplate committing suicide (Mayo Clinic, n.d.). Individuals are also likely to experience feelings of shame and guilt, which may result in low self-esteem (Fong, 2006). Physiologically, the overconcentration on sexual thoughts and behaviors may lead to decreased concentration at the workplace resulting in reduced productivity. Sexual addiction is also connected with some medical issues. The overindulgence in sexual activities may cause physical injuries to the sex organs (Fong, 2006). The indulgence in uncontrollable sexual activities also puts an individual at an elevated risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (Fong, 2006). Examples of STIs include syphilis and gonorrhea.
Several potential negative consequences are associated with sexual addiction. Firstly, sexual addiction may lead to broken interpersonal relationships, including family and intimate partners. Sex addicts are likely to be deceptive to their partners in an effort to conceal their behaviors, which is likely to destroy the trust between them, thus breaking the relationship. Secondly, sex addicts waste a lot of resources in order to engage in their sexual fantasies. Wasted resources include time and money. A lot of time is spent engaging in sexual behaviors at the expense of undertaking productive work. Significant amounts of money are also spent on activities such as sexual services, which may lead to financial debts (Fong, 2006; Mayo Clinic, n.d.). Thirdly sexual addiction may bring legal troubles such as arrests and lawsuits for engaging in illegal paraphilic acts, e.g., pedophilia (Fong, 2006; Mayo Clinic n.d.). Engagement in sexual offenses may destroy one’s career. Sex addicts are also likely to indulge in sexual activities and watch pornography in the workplace. Such acts may put one’s job in jeopardy. Fourthly, according to Kingston (2015), sex addicts may engage in substance abuse, e.g., excessive alcohol consumption, to the detriment of their health.
Sexual addiction is a significant problem in society. Thus, it would be important that some harmony is established around the different aspects such as its symptoms and diagnostic criteria. Although the American Psychiatrist Association (APA) did not include sexual addiction as an addictive disorder in the DSM-5 manual, it is my theoretical orientation that the problem qualifies to be classified as an addictive disorder. The uncontrollable nature of the problem and the significant amounts of distress experienced by persons struggling with sexual addiction are adequate reasons to warrant classification as an addictive disorder. The designation as an addictive disorder would offer crucial guidance in its diagnostic criteria. Currently, several inconsistencies surround sexual addiction screening (Phillips et al., 2015). Experts do not seem to agree as to what behaviors qualify to be classified as sexual addiction and which do not. There is a need to undertake further research on this topic. Comprehensive research would not only aid in diagnosis but also the treatment methods.
Conclusively, sexual addiction is a prevalent problem in society. Thus, there is a need for coordinated research into the topic in order to establish a body of knowledge that can guide its diagnosis and treatment. Such an approach would help provide appropriate care to individuals seeking treatment for sexual addiction. Counselors are amongst the professionals who should be well versed in sexual addiction due to the critical role that they play in offering care to sex addicts who are seeking treatment. This paper has dwelled on some of the essential aspects of sexual addiction, namely behavioral symptoms, psychological, physiological, and medical issues, and the potential consequences of sexual addiction. An understanding of these aspects is essential in counseling clients seeking treatment for sexual addiction.
References
Fong, T. W. (2006). Understanding and managing compulsive sexual behaviors. Psychiatry (Edgmont) , 3 (11), 51.
George, M., Maheshwari, S., Chandran, S., Rao, S. S., Shivanand, M. J., & Rao, T. S. (2018). Psychosocial intervention for sexual addiction. Indian journal of psychiatry , 60 (Suppl 4), S510.
Kingston, D. (2015). Debating the Conceptualization of Sex as an Addictive Disorder. Current Addiction Reports , 2 (3), 195-201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-015-0059-6
Mayo Clinic. Compulsive sexual behavior - Symptoms, and causes . Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 15 June 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/compulsive-sexual-behavior/symptoms-causes/syc-20360434 .
Phillips, B., Hajela, R., & Hilton, D. (2015). Sex Addiction as a Disease: Evidence for Assessment, Diagnosis, and Response to Critics. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity , 22 (2), 167-192. https://doi.org/10.1080/10720162.2015.1036184
