Many people experience one or more symptoms of Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD), sometimes called hypersexuality or sex addiction.
Studies have found that 3–10% of men and 2–7% of women might experience Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder. CSBD is acknowledged by a persistent pattern of failure to control intense, repetitive sexual impulses or urges resulting in repetitive sexual behavior.
Consequences of Sex Addiction
Compulsive sexual behavior has negative consequences, including but not limited to distress or impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, or other important areas of functioning, but also depression, anxiety, and a high risk of sexually transmitted diseases.
Consequences may also include: severe depression, often with suicidal ideation, low self-esteem, shame, self-hatred, hopelessness, helplessness, fear of abandonment, loneliness, distorted thinking, and self-deceit.
Sex Addiction Test
Take this test called PATHOS, from the Greek word for “suffering”, and find out if you have symptoms of CSBD.
A positive response to just one of the six questions would indicate a need for additional assessment with a sex therapist. Two or more are considered to certainly indicate sexual addiction.
The most common symptoms of Sex Addiction
sexuality that causes significant concern and suffering
focus on sexuality which prevents initiating and establishing long-term relationships
recurrent and intense sexual fantasies, urges and behaviors that take up a lot of time and feel as if they’re beyond one’s control, characterized by unsuccessful attempts to reduce or control sexual fantasies, urges or behaviors
use compulsive sexual behavior as an escape from other problems, such as loneliness, depression, anxiety, boringness or stress
continuous engagement in sexual behaviors that have serious consequences, such as the potential for getting or giving someone else a Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), the loss of important relationships, trouble at work, financial strain, or legal problems
If you experience one or more of these symptoms you may be suffering from CSBD. The good news is that there are effective options for treating CSBD. These include different medications and psychological treatments, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT have shown great promise in reducing excessive sexual behavior.
If you believe your sexual behaviors are problematic, reach out to me at angelikakolomanska@seksuologpsychoterapeuta.com
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