Understanding Sexual Addiction

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Recommended: Short note on the human brain

The many personalities of this world are phenomenal because they are all so different. Not one individual is the same, and that is one thing that makes the human brain as fascinating as it is. The human brain is quite beautiful; unfortunately, biochemical or other brain changes can alter proper functioning of the human brain, leading to mental disorders or diseases. Sexual addiction, although not always recognized, is a severe condition which affects many. Sexual addiction should be widely acknowledged as a severe issue because of its impact on the addict's nervous system, the root of its development, and its relevance to human behavior.

What is sex addiction? The term "sexual addiction" is used to explain the behavior of a person who has an unusually intense sex drive or an obsession with sex. Those suffering from sexual addiction can be suffering from spiritual, biological, psychological, trauma-based, sexually anorexic, or mood-disordered. Out of all six, biological is the most common type of sex addiction. “The biological addict is someone who has conditioned their body to receive endorphins and enkephlines (brain chemicals) primarily through reinforcing a fantasy state with the ejaculation that provides these chemicals to their brain" (FAQ's: Heart to Heart…). In other words, the addict's body is able to use sensation's which come from having an orgasm to reward them for their self-destructive behavior. In the brain of a sex addict, the brain's dopamine receptors (pleasure-reward system) is triggered during sex, the dopamine receptors are temporarily pleasured and instead of a "reward" the brain is left craving more sex. As soon as the euphoria wears off, the addict is left feeling hopeless and ashamed. Now the venture for ...

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...epression, Bipolar, ADHD and Psychology Information. Web. 22 Feb. 2011. .

Herkov, Michael, Mark S. Gold, M.D., and Drew D. Edwards, M.S. "What Causes Sexual

Addiction? | Psych Central." Psych Central - Trusted Mental Health, Depression,

Bipolar, ADHD and Psychology Information. Web. 22 Feb. 2011.

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Praver, Frances Cohen, Ph.D. "What Drives a Sex Addict? | Psychology Today." Psychology

Today: Health, Help, Happiness Find a Therapist. 7 Oct. 2009. Web. 22 Feb. 2011.

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"Sexual Addiction Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment on MedicineNet.com."

MedicineNet.com. Web. 22 Feb. 2011.

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