A healthy attitude towards sex and intimacy is something that many regard as a normal part of everyday life.
But for some, sex and love can become a powerful compulsion that dominates someone’s life and may become impossible to control. It is not a dissimilar effect on the brain’s chemistry to that sometimes exerted by drugs or alcohol.
Sex can often feel ubiquitous. In a modern world of digital media, sexually explicit images and sexual services are omnipresent and lurk just the push of a button away - literally.
This can make sex feel like something from which it is difficult to escape. While many can control those urges, others cannot and the temptation becomes impossible to resist.
Well, the good news is that, with the correct expert treatment, sex and love can be regarded and enjoyed in a healthy way once again.
WHAT EXACTLY IS SEX AND LOVE ADDICTION?
Fixations with love and sex are most likely to develop from a mix of psychological, physical, genetic, biochemical and social factors.
Some may have issues with self-esteem, difficulties coping with painful emotions or a history of childhood sexual abuse. Falling intensely in love or having sex can trigger the same types of neurotransmitters as using mood-altering drugs. And just as chronic drug misuse leads to a dependency, repetitive bouts of sex or serial relationships can end up in similar outcomes.
It is common to become overwhelmed by heightened shame and deep regret. These negative emotions can, in turn, become triggers for further compulsive sexual activity.
Could this be you? If so, please don’t burden yourself with excess worry, because you are most definitely not suffering alone. In fact, estimates by The Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health suggest that around 3 to 5 per cent of the population may suffer from sex addiction and therefore require admission to a treatment centre. An estimated 40 million Americans log on to some 4.2 million pornographic websites each day.
As you would expect, with so many people suffering from such issues, there have been great advances in treatments for sex and love addictions, so your concerns can be addressed and resolved smoothly by professionals with the highest level of evidence-based treatments at their fingertips.
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR:
Constantly craving and searching for a romantic relationship
Persistent masturbation, obsessive sexual thoughts and fantasies that interfere with life, both personality and professionally
Preferring pornography instead of sex in a meaningful relationship
Mistaking intense sexual experiences and new passionate excitement for love
Habitual sending of unwanted explicit texts or images
Using sex, seduction, and manipulation to hold on to a partner
Preoccupation with sexual behaviour or preparatory activities
Excessive amounts of time spent on obtaining sex, being sexual, or recovering from sexual experiences
The need to progress the intensity, frequency, number, or risk level of activities to achieve the desired effect
Distress, anxiety, restlessness, or irritability if unable to engage in sexual behaviour
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