What's in a name...
As mentioned on the previous pages sex addiction is a controversial subject. One of the problems doctors have with sex addiction is that they do not know what to call it.
Possible names: Sex addiction- no scientific proof that it is an addiction. The brain activity of sex addicts is unlike other addicts’. Sexual Dependency- sounded too much like an addiction. Sexually Compulsive- sex is sometimes, but not always had to get rid of anxiety like other compulsive acts. Finally they agreed on “Hyper Sexuality” which is having a higher than normal sex drive. The problem with this name is that not all sex addicts have a high sex drive. Sex addicts are all different and they have sex for many different reasons. For some, sex is done compulsively to get rid of anxiety. Some use it as an antidepressant. Others have risky sexual behaviors because they do have a high sex drive and thoughts of sex control their mind. |
One thing that many sex addicts have in common is childhood trauma. Many sex addicts have gone through trauma which gave them an unhealthy view of sexuality and usually leads to attachment issues. Too much or not enough attachment to parents or friends during childhood can lead people into unhealthy sexual habits and unusual personal and sexual relationships in the future. Some sex addicts want to feel loved by the people they have sex with while others move from partner to partner because they do not want to feel any emotion. Once again sex addicts are all different which is they are so difficult to define.
The graph below illustrates that children who are maltreated once or repeatedly have a higher chance of of anxiety or depression when they get older. Trying to cure anxiety or depression are two main reasons why sex addicts have sex. |