Sex Addiction
Sex
“Might as well face it, you’re addicted to love.”
Thoughts on the reality of Hypersexual Disorder and Sex Addiction
J. K. Harville
Thoughts on the reality of Hypersexual Disorder and Sex Addiction We often hear about addictions and the problems they cause in the news and portrayed in Movies and television. We hear about an alcoholic, a drug addict, or a compulsive gambler and how their addictions destroy their lives and that of their families. An addiction we don’t often hear about or see glorified on television is an addiction to Biology’s most base instinct; Sex. A person can feel the same impulses and chemical responses when they fill their need for alcohol just the same as they would when satisfying a sexual desire. Although, the argument is being made that sexual addiction is not a real affliction and that it is used as an excuse or a crutch for irresponsible behavior, bisexuality, and infidelity. More and more research on the subject proves that sexual addiction is real and that it is a condition that should not be ignored or trivialized. Sexual addicts need the same help and support as any other addict, and we as a society must recognize this. What is sexual addiction? Dr. Michael Herkov, Ph.D. describes Sexual Addiction as “a progressive intimacy disorder characterized by compulsive sexual thoughts and acts. Like all addictions, its negative impact on the addict and on family members increases as the disorder progresses. Over time, the addict usually has to intensify the addictive behavior to achieve the same results.” (Herkov, 2006) According to Dr. Herkov’s article; “The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders, Volume Four describes sex addiction, under the category “Sexual Disorders Not Otherwise Specified,” as “distress about a pattern of repeated sexual relationships involving a succession of lovers who are experienced by the individual only as things to be used.” According to the manual, sex addiction also
“Might as well face it, you’re addicted to love.”
Thoughts on the reality of Hypersexual Disorder and Sex Addiction
J. K. Harville
Thoughts on the reality of Hypersexual Disorder and Sex Addiction We often hear about addictions and the problems they cause in the news and portrayed in Movies and television. We hear about an alcoholic, a drug addict, or a compulsive gambler and how their addictions destroy their lives and that of their families. An addiction we don’t often hear about or see glorified on television is an addiction to Biology’s most base instinct; Sex. A person can feel the same impulses and chemical responses when they fill their need for alcohol just the same as they would when satisfying a sexual desire. Although, the argument is being made that sexual addiction is not a real affliction and that it is used as an excuse or a crutch for irresponsible behavior, bisexuality, and infidelity. More and more research on the subject proves that sexual addiction is real and that it is a condition that should not be ignored or trivialized. Sexual addicts need the same help and support as any other addict, and we as a society must recognize this. What is sexual addiction? Dr. Michael Herkov, Ph.D. describes Sexual Addiction as “a progressive intimacy disorder characterized by compulsive sexual thoughts and acts. Like all addictions, its negative impact on the addict and on family members increases as the disorder progresses. Over time, the addict usually has to intensify the addictive behavior to achieve the same results.” (Herkov, 2006) According to Dr. Herkov’s article; “The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders, Volume Four describes sex addiction, under the category “Sexual Disorders Not Otherwise Specified,” as “distress about a pattern of repeated sexual relationships involving a succession of lovers who are experienced by the individual only as things to be used.” According to the manual, sex addiction also
Cited: 1/ Herkov, M. (2010). What Is Sexual Addiction?. Psych Central. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/what-is-sexual-addiction/ 2/ Grohol, J. (2008). Is Sexual Addiction Real?. Psych Central. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/09/30/is-sexual-addiction-real/