Symptoms of Sex Addiction
What symptoms does sex addiction have?
Sex addiction is different from generally high libido in two important and defining ways:
- A pattern of out-of-control sexual behavior (“acting out”) eg:
- Compulsive masturbation
- Indulging in pornography
- Having chronic affairs
- Exhibitionism
- Dangerous sexual practices
- Prostitution
- Anonymous sex
- Compulsive sexual episodes
- Compulsive use of internet, sites etc. to makesexual connections
- Voyeurism
- Experiencing severe consequences due to sexual
- Experiencing severe consequences due to sexual behavior, and an inability to stop despite these adverse consequences:
- Loss of partner or spouse
- Severe marital or relationship problems
- Loss of career opportunities
- Unwanted pregnancies / abortions
- Suicidal obsession / attempts
- Exposure to HIV and STDs
- Legal risks
In other words, once we start, we cannot stop – and despite often dire consequences, we find that we cannot stop starting. This addictive formula has led many of us into a combination of denial, despair and desperation. Apart from these two defining characteristics, many of us also experienced:
- A persistent pursuit of self-destructive behavior
- An obsessive ongoing desire or effort to limit sexual behavior (despite repeated failures to do so)
- Sexual obsession and fantasy as a primary coping strategy
- Escalation of the type and amount of sexual behavior because the current level of activity is no longer sufficiently satisfying
- Severe mood changes related to sexual activity
- Inordinate amounts of time spent obtaining sex, being sexual, and recovering from sexual experiences
- Neglect of important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of sexual behavior