Sex addiction can be defined as , that leads to psychological distress, and can result in impairment to social, occupational, or other types of functioning. This lack of agreement among professionals led the American Psychiatric Association APA , the organization that creates the diagnostic manual for mental health professionals, to leave sexual addiction out of the most current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5. Sex addiction also varies between groups of people. For example, sex addiction among gay and bisexual men can be hard to define because people in this group tend to have more sexual partners. Society tends to paint a picture of fear and confusion around the sexual lives of gay and bisexual men and women, however, research finds that people with paraphilias are significantly more likely to be heterosexual. While research is not available to help differentiate hypersexual behavior from compulsive or addictive sexual behavior, the correlation is interesting enough to prompt further study. There are several factors that may increase the chances that you will struggle with a sex addiction at some point in your life. It is important to understand that the presence of one or more of these risk factors does not mean that you will become addicted to sex, nor does it mean that if these risk factors are absent, you will not become addicted to sex. The research into how sexual disorders emerge is still evolving and though we know more than we did before, there is still much to discover. A small amount of research does exist on the neurobiology of sex addiction, however. One study looked at the brains of men with pedophilia and found that their brains were actually different than men who were nonsexual offenders. And other studies have found that some people with stroke and multiple sclerosis have high rates of sexual behaviors as a result of these brain conditions. Sexually deviant behavior is often grouped into non-paraphilic and paraphilic addictions. Mental and Emotional Side Effects Because sex addiction shares many of the same characteristics as other addictions recognized by the DSM-5, the criteria for disordered behavior is the same. Below are some of the mental and emotional side effects that are possible to experience when you have a sexual addiction. People struggling with sexual behavioral disorders may also internalize feelings of guilt and shame because of the way the world views addiction. You may experience psychiatric problems too, most commonly depression, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD. These side effects may develop early, late, or not at all and may range from moderate to severe. If you or a loved one can identify with at least 3 of these side effects, it may be. How it Impacts Relationships An addiction to sex does not only affect the person who is addicted. In fact, it can have a far-reaching impact on the people that an addicted person loves the most. These side effects often affect the healthy functioning of relationships. They can also leave the addicted person isolated because of the harmful emotional damage they can inflict on loved ones. If you are a loved one who has been affected by the actions of someone with a sex addiction, couples or relationship counseling may help you and your loved one heal some of the wounds that have been caused. However, a person who is not willing to first seek out their own help for sex addiction is not a good candidate for couples counseling since the underlying issues will remain and potentially cause future damage. These side effects can be serious and could even threaten your health and longevity. If you are addicted to sex or are in a relationship with someone who is addicted to sex, making an appointment with a health professional to check on your sexual health may be an important step to take in the process of recovery. Many STDs can be cured if they are caught early. Treatment Options for Sex Addiction can be a difficult task. Because the APA has not recognized sex addiction as a diagnosable disorder, professionals who deal with sexual addiction have been placed in a difficult position regarding the diagnosing and treatment of them. Without set criteria there is no diagnosis, and without a diagnosis, there is no investment in finding evidence-based treatment to tackle the problem. Without a diagnosis or an evidence-based treatment, there is no approved funding for facilities that provide sexual addiction services and no reimbursement to insured consumers. These criteria parallel much of the criteria for a substance use disorder too, and many behavioral health treatment programs, , and programs that provide medication-assisted therapy for addictions may prove invaluable as you begin your recovery. These programs tend to be readily available and are typically covered by insurance. Dual-diagnosis programs could also be helpful, since it is not uncommon for someone to be addicted to sex and to also have an addiction to drugs and alcohol. It is also not uncommon for those addicted to sex to have an underlying and co-morbid mental health issue, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. In fact, it is estimated that more than 40% of those addicted to sex also have some other underlying issue. Medication-assisted therapy while in treatment may also be helpful in attaining and maintaining sobriety. While the FDA has not approved any medication for the treatment of sex addiction, there are some studies that have shown certain SSRIs antidepressants and opioid antagonists, such as naltrexone, to be successful in treating the cravings and impulses related to sex addiction. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2, 1. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 37 5 , 817—826. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. Psychiatry Edgmont , 3 11 , 51—58. How Our Helpline Works For those seeking addiction treatment for themselves or a loved one, the ProjectKnow. Calls to any general helpline non-facility specific 1-8XX numbers for your visit will be answered by American Addiction Centers AAC. Our representatives work solely for AAC and will discuss whether an AAC facility may be an option for you. Our helpline is offered at no cost to you and with no obligation to enter into treatment. 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