[pachyderm]

The confusion of 'sex addiction' | Psychology Today

Words matter. Choosing a therapist who isn’t clear about the endorsed clinical terminology may mean that clients will be confused with what kind of treatment they’re actually going to get.

Seems to me that addiction meaning too much sex is exactly wrong -- it means too little sex -- that is, the person cannot think clearly about sex, was forbidden to think about sex as a child, or was punished for thinking about it, and talking or asking about it. So as an adult they have a desperate NEED, and cannot be satisfied, and cannot take sexuality calmly.

[puzzclar]

Sex addiction is hard to understand among therapists because the DSM 5 does not cover sex as an addiction. It's awful that there is mass confusion over what an addiction to sex truly has become.

Therefore even those addicted, may not even recognize the characteristics or even deny their condition.

In my view, sex addiction is a symptom of another cause. Most generally the cause can be stress, anxiety, fear, anger, a misunderstanding of values, among other causes.

Mental health diagnosis is difficult to determine the cause. After a few years of study, I think much comes down to stress, and an overactive fight, flight, freeze system. Our cortisol gets hi-jacked and causes multi-system problems that come out differently. The "Disorder" is the term used, but the cause has not been studied fully for some disorders. Think about the use of medication, and how little is known about what medication to try, and which will work.

Of course, these are my opinion, on the causation..

[Bbw420nympho]

I'm thankful for the little information I've found online. I went to a mental health clinic, they take in lots of different addicts, but when I brought up my sex addiction, she offered for me to sit in group with them but at the end of the day she told me she didn't know much about sex addiction and told me she couldn't help.

7 years later, I still haven't had any help or tried medications. I went to a general doctor and she is at least is willing to prescribe depression meds to help and is willing to work with me to find a treatment that will work.

Searching online there seems to be more of an understanding now but still confusion on sex addiction vs. hypersexuality, etc.

[puzzclar]

I have called myself a sex addict. Now, I understand that sex became unhealthy. I was raised in a home where sex was not talked about, and education was never given freely. I searched for what sex meant, but came up with the view of sex as a means to release other emotions besides love. Then someone kissed me, and it lead to rape, and I became hooked. Sex became a way out.

I have a therapist and we did talk about some aspects, but when it became virtual talk about addiction slowed. When I started to see as I sat and did little, I felt worse and when I started to do more and make goals, things have started to change.

The name of a mental health concern gives different ideas to the person and anyone around them. Those ideas can be good or bad, but the treatment is starting healthy behaviors to create health. And joy and peace. Then love can come in, allowing sex to be enjoyable.

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