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Sexual addiction
Critical review of sexual addiction
Essay on sexual addiction
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Not many people believe that sexual addiction, hypersexuality, or sex compulsion is “real” or rather, a disorder. While some believe that it is a behavior addiction, others believe that this is a fake addiction that justifies the behavior of having intercourse with an abundant of individuals. This calls into question as to whether or not there is an explanation to this addiction or is it an excuse? Sexual addiction sparks controversy among therapist. Although it is not listed in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), it is a real psychological intimacy disorder that many individuals are affected by. These individuals that suffer from sexual addiction possess compulsive sexual thoughts and acts. Similar to other addictions, …show more content…
According to the American Society for Addiction Medicine (ASAM), addiction is the pathological pursuit of “reward and/or relief by substance abuse or other behaviors” (2011). Many of whom suffer from sex addiction act out (sexually) in which they cannot control. They abuse this sexual compulsion to relieve that certain itch, similar to alcohol- to cope, to lower anxiety and inhibitions. However, the Diagnostic of Statistical Manual (DSM-V) does not include a category of diagnosis for sexual addiction because they believe this behavior does not exist. Seems rather political than medical. Studies and research on sexual addiction is relatively weak. There is no prevalent surveys of sex addiction (all while using validated addiction criteria) or research study on those who show up for treatment. Perhaps, many people are afraid to come forward to this addiction because it is shunned by society- some may be religious and do not want to be looked down upon, others may be embarrassed. The discussion of sex, pornography, masturbation, etc. is rarely spoken about ‘out loud’ because many people feel uncomfortable and are sensitive to this information. In order to be classified as a disorder, the DSM-V includes guidelines as to how it could be (APA
on how to help those who suffer from sexual addiction and to prevent it from occurring.
Paraphilia has evolved as a term generally referenced as sexually deviant behavior to a broader term and divided into a disorder by the DSM-5. Paraphilia’s are often misconstrued as sexually deviant behavior that is misunderstood by the general public. In this paper, I will attempt to have a better grasp of what a paraphilia is, how to treat paraphilia from a therapeutic standpoint and attempt to discern when a paraphilia may need additional referrals and/or treatment. This paper will also examine the difference between a paraphilia that may be treated through cognitive behavioral therapy and paraphilic disorders, in which distress is found and may need further intensive treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one method of psychotherapy
The APA has been unable to confirm whether sex addiction is an actual addiction or a compulsive disorder. It’s so undefined that some people think it’s a myth and is the product of cultural influences. Social media has to do with this; for one if a celebrity is caught having an affair a story is made in which he/she is automatically diagnosed as a sex addict. Also social media is to blame that sex addiction is not recognized by the APA or DSM-IV-TR. The reason for this is because they always “diagnose” celebrities just because they were caught having an affair. One example of this was Tiger Woods, when he was caught having an affair the media immediately rushed to cover the story and instantly said he was a sex addict. The reason why sex addiction is not taken seriously is the media summaries the person having an affair as a sex addict. A sex addict is just like a drug addict, ...
56% of divorce cases in the United States have reported the cause of divorce as one member of the couple having an unhealthy addiction for pornographic websites ("Pornography Statistics: Annual Report" 2014). The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes pornography as "movies, pictures, magazines, etc., that show or describe naked people or sex in a very open and direct way in order to cause sexual excitement." In a recent study of dating or married couples, 73% of males reported to using pornography at some level (ranging from low to high frequency use), while only 32% of females reported using pornography (Poulsen, Bubsy & Galovan, 2013 p. 73). Pornography has highly addictive qualities, which are often dismissed as "human nature," and is the leading cause of unhappiness leading to divorce in marriages. The ease of access to online pornography makes this worse because it is much more difficult to quit because of how easy it is to access it. If someone is addicted to drugs, they would need to find a supply if they were tempted to relapse. With an online pornography addiction, all someone needs is a computer to relapse into their pornography addiction. This form of addiction is not seen as an issue because of its dismissal as “human nature.” Online Pornography addiction negatively affects the addicted party's serious relationship or marriage, the addicted person's partner, and the addicted party themselves.
While alleged sex addictions have existed for many years, they have only recently been accepted as valid excuses for sexual deviancy. Attitudes toward sex addiction in the past offer a stark contrast to how it is viewed today, as the constantly medicalizing society insists on putting everything under the technical microscope. Sex addiction is commonly associated with a person’s inability to control his sexual behavior, implying an abnormally high sex drive and obsession with sex which have negative effects on his personal life (MedicineNet 2007, 1). Rather than breaking down the science behind the disorder, a customary practice in today’s medicalized society, older attitudes towards sex addiction placed it under the same light as alcoholism, where a lack of control and unwillin...
The term “fetishism” first came to light in 1887. Psychologist Alfred Binet first presented the terminology to explain those that feel sexually attracted to inanimate objects. As the years passed, other psychologists such as Richard von Krafft-Ebing and Sigmund Freud made adjustments to the word until it encompassed all overwhelming urges to use an object or part of the body that is normally considered nonsexual to reach sexual fulfillment. (Sexual Fetishism, 2003, Metacalf, Luke, Nationmaster.com) Until the time of the sexual revolution, fetishes where thought of as abnormal or deviant behaviors and mental illnesses. However, in more recent years the more acceptable “paraphilia” has been used to label those who have peculiar sexual desires. (Crooks & Baur, (2013). Our Sexuality (12 Edition) Page 488)
Unhealthy sexual activity has a profound effect on one’s mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being because there is a chemical release that occurs during orgasm that creates a bond between two people; soul ties are created with each sexual encounter; engaging in early sexual activity fosters unhealthy views; sexual abuse is somewhat common, and it is destructive; pornography and the lack of a father figure results in unhealthy views of one’s self. Exploring the chemical bond reveals that there has been much research in regards to the chemicals released in the brain during sexual activity and the effect that the bonds created during such activity has on one’s whole person health. Dr. Douglas Weiss is a noted expert in the field of sexual addiction and pornography. He has researched the brain and has provided insight into the possibility that bonding occurs through chemicals released in the brain during sexual activity.
Addiction, Is it just an issue or is it one’s choice? Although no one chooses to walk around in their life and decides if he or she has or wants an addiction. An addiction is a “condition of being addicted to a particular substance” (Peele, 2016). One can be addicted to nicotine, drugs, alcohol, gambling, food, and even shopping if it has an impact on their everyday life. Consequently, some people with an addiction may reach a point in their life where it can turn harmful, therefore, people need to look for assistance. Even so, people still neglect to talk about addictions because people are ashamed, or in denial, and it is probably not one’s choice of topics that is brought up at your breakfast table, or you may never have confronted anyone before. Still, addiction is all around us, and most people today still do not understand or have misconceptions about addictions because addiction is a disease, and studies have indicated that addictions are a physical defect in the brain, thus, making it hard for some people to give up their addictions on their own.
The ranges of sexually addictive behaviors are various. Sexual addictive behaviors include, but are not limited to compulsive masturbation, multiple affairs, unsafe sex, sexual anorexia, multiple or anonymous partners, pornography viewing, phone or cybersex, voyeurism, and exhibitionism (National, Sex). Despite the differences in the acting out behaviors, sexual addictions all have the same common denominator in their origins and aspects in relation to their developments. Thus, the underlying causes are the same.
I believe that behavioural addictions are in fact addictions. Many people associate the tern 'addiction' with drugs and alcohol, however, there are many other things that people can become dependent on. According to Miller (2015), behavioural addiction refers to a natural drive as being abnormal due to the compulsiveness of the behaviour (i.e., compulsive gambling, sexual addiction and eating disorders). Those who suffer from a behavioural addiction have an increased need to be involved in the activity and may participate in the activity as a way to numb their emotions. I feel that many people do not view such behaviours as addictions simply because they do not possess the ability to differentiate enjoyment from compulsion.
Addiction has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, from my earliest memories of my father, until now as I am a licensed professional in the field of addiction as well as a person in long term recovery myself.
In the today’s society, social media has gone out of hand. Most people these days have a cell phone, Ipad and/or laptop and most definitely a television at their home. Therefore, access to pornography has become extremely easy and can be available to any individual in less than 5 minutes. The best definition of pornography can be explained as sexually explicit words or images intended to provoke sexual arousal. The easy access to porn has raised many people to question if porn is harmful, if it should be censored, and if it is unsafe. Many debates have been going on about porn concerning freedom of rights, speech, and entertainment and right of privacy. The main people to have argued on this point are Catherine Mackinnon and philosopher J.S. Mill.
Sexual addictions of any kind can continue to progress in stages that may include child pornography, violence and pain, prostitution, rape and even serial killing. The overexposure of sexual imagery is creating a tolerance not only to the images presented but also to the crimes that go along the continuous craving for more and more extreme pornographic material to satisfy a sexual need. The key here is that people are after more and more sex, not a sexual relationship. The relationship part is gone and sadly, people just want to live the moment, satisfy a sexual need and walk away without any regard to the damage they might cause.
Normal sexual behavior can be defined as sexual acts that society deems acceptable. This includes heterosexual sex and the absence of foreign objects. Our society’s views and perceptions of what normal sexual behavior includes continues to evolve. Additionally, there is an understanding that abnormal sexual acts should remain private to void judgement and ridicule. It appears that normal sex is sex that is acceptable. But, what is acceptable? The more I consider answering this question, I understand that defining normal sexual behavior is relative. For me, normal sexual behavior is sex that is safe and happens between people of consenting ages. Over time, the introduction of objects, elements of pain, and role playing are becoming more
"Treatment for Sexual Problems." Kazdin, Alan E. Encyclopedia of Psychology. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association, 2000. Print.