Hypersexuality Essay

Understanding addiction is imperative in determining treatment for an addiction; however, comprehending sexual addiction is a difficult task fraught with controversy. Webster defines hypersexuality as exhibiting unusual or excessive, concern with, or indulgence in, sexual activity—who determines “unusual” or “excessive”? (Hypersexual). According to Kounteya Sinha, 15 July 2014, in The Times of India, “there is currently no formally accepted definition of diagnosing” sexual addiction. Researchers at University of California, in Los Angeles, use brain scans to prove hypersexuality is “not a true addiction or mental disorder”; conversely, researchers at the University of Cambridge, in London, and researchers at the University of Pennsylvania,

Webster’s definition of “hypersexual” is vague, but further investigation led me to even more baffling results; for example, concupiscent, goatish, horny, hot, lustful, itchy, lascivious, lecherous, lewd, libidinous, licentious, lubricious (or lubricous), oversexed, passionate, randy, salacious, satyric, and wanton were listed as synonyms. Investigation of each of those words led me to conclude Webster does not have a concise definition, and chose to use synonyms to explain hypersexuality with a broad stroke. Needing to find further definition, I looked to the medical and professional fields to break down this diverse explanation; however, I found further confusion and

In Klein’s opinion, the term “sexual addiction” was developed as a way to explain inappropriate sexual behavior in politicians and stars, but has more to do with impulsivity, compulsion, obsession, and being unhappy with current choices where it is too painful to make different decisions; additionally, outside of narcissism, hypersexuality only exists in co-morbid conditions, and it is an effect of the co-morbid diagnosis or the medication used to treat the other problems. Klein implies sexual addiction is an excuse for negative behavior which the media loves and a boost for 12-step programs and advocates. A diagnosis of sexual addiction stems from discomfort with personal sexuality and with cultural or religious expectations which leads to repetitive sexual behavior (Klein). Despite the endless debate over definition and diagnoses, most of the professional and medical communities agree hypersexuality can be bothersome and can negatively affect the life of the