Is sex addiction real?

The short answer to the question is yes. Sex addiction is currently being seen as an actual disease that plagues some individuals. Despite the snickering teenagers in the back of the class, it’s a real problem that can cause a significant impact on your life, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Scientists have coined the term “compulsive sexual behaviour” and have proposed it be classified as a disease. As more comes to light over the issues of being a “sex addict,” science is starting to be able to classify and combat its detrimental nature to people’s lives. Whether it’s real or myth, similar feelings can disrupt your daily life, so what can we do to help?

 

Therapy is an option

Most people don’t want to think of the idea of therapy because of the stigma it can bring to daily life, but here’s the thing, therapy can really help you get back on track. Not every doctor is going to want to hear you out about “sex addiction being a disease,” but a therapist will be able to understand that it’s affecting your daily life, whether it’s diagnosed or not.

There is a power to therapy that most don’t understand unless they have experienced it, and that’s the power of understanding. When it comes to being a sex addict, the best way to get help is from someone who is understanding and trained to help.

Understanding the issue is the core of therapy, to begin with. Talking through your issues and understanding how your brain wants to function can help you come to terms with and correct behaviours and tools to use to possible better your day to day.

By talking through the issues, you and your therapist can help find triggers and create solutions for your urges. Having these plans in place can help you in your times of needs and curb your mind from the issues that come with sex addiction. 

 

Taking the first step

The first step is the hardest because it’s on you. Most people find the therapy itself to be far easier than simply admitting they have an issue in the first place. You need to realise that while there may not be a clinical diagnosis, you can still seek help. There are professionals out there who will hear your story, think nothing less of you, and help you get better. All you have to do is be brave and take the first step to get that help.

Once you take that first step, stick with it. As time goes on, it will get easier to live with and control your temptations, so you can stop getting distracted from your amazing life. 

 

The future for sex addiction as a disease

There are still changing attitudes about the idea in science, but many relate the topic of sex addiction to that of food or gambling addictions. Both food and gambling addictions were recognised as diagnosable diseases in 2013, so we could see a similar look at sex addiction shortly. As more information begins to roll out, science is starting to reclassify how it sees diseases. 

 

That’s the future, but for now, there are still ways to seek help for your sex addiction through therapy. Don’t wait. The sooner you start, the sooner you can get back on the road to recovery.

 

Photo by W R

 

Jessica Alexander

Jessica Alexander

I've always loved to write, but I'd never want to be famous. So, I write as Jessica A. over here at ADDICTED. You can think of my like Carmen Sandiego, you trust me, but where in the world am I?
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