Sexual Addiction and Sexual Compulsivity

Some psychologist believe that sexual addiction is not real but others believe that sex addiction can be dangerous to the person and other people. The concept of sex addiction is unclear because there is no straight definition of sex addiction. Activities that appear in the definition of sex addiction apply to people who do not have a sex addiction. The four step cycle that is described happens with non addictive couples for example ritualization. Many people light candles, use massage oils, and drink champagne in their sex lives. Many people masturbate and feel guilty afterward. Men and women also watch erotica and that should not qualify them as having sexual compulsivity.

Sex compulsivity can be paraphilia when it puts someone or that person in danger. Sex can become extreme, for example when a person needs sex and can think of nothing else then that person can go out and take it. Take sex in the form of rape, incest, or just very dangerous sex as in not caring about protection. Protecting themselves and their partner that they are currently with.

The increase in sexual images in media has not increased the prevalence of sexual addiction. Sexual images in media has increased expectations about women's and men's bodies. It has also increased the expectations about sex and media. People with sexual addiction may fantasize about the sexual images in media but that does not mean that they act on impulses. Men and women probably do not search for sex images over and over again to get their sexual high. The sex images are there and people take them in stride. Men and women with sexual addiction and sexual compulsivity more than likely have a high addiction to porn rather than sexual image. Unless they do not have access to porn then they probably do search for sex images because that is all they can get.

Sexual compulsivity is more common in younger people. They want to get it when they can and being young and able they do. With all the sex and porn that is going around on college campuses men and women can get out of control with it. Males are more likely to become addicted to sex. With the myth that all men think about is sex, men probably believe it is true. Men go out, order magazines, and movies and have as much fun with themselves as possible. More men than women watch porn and are more likely to masturbate to magazines then women are.

There are differences and similarities between high sex drive and sexual addiction. Sexual addiction can come to extreme circumstances. Sex addiction can lead to public flashing just to get a sexual high, it can lead to voyeurism where they need to watch people and they get their sexual high from watchings. Sexual addiction can also lead to public masturbation and even rape and incest. High sex drive like sexual addiction has to do with needing to get a sexual high constantly except without quite the extremities like voyeurism and flashing. High sex drive can lead to many one night stands and many sexual partners. Even to the point where protecting one self is not the top priority. High sex drive can also lead to frequent masturbation just not to the extremities like public places. The differences between the two is that the person is satisfied with sex and does not feel the need to go to extreme behavior to get sex.

Sexual addiction can probably be dealt with. There are many therapist and psychologist that treat sexual addiction, compulsivity, and problematic sexual behavior. People with sex addiction usually have dealt with past traumas that lead them to become addicted to sex. Treatment involves emotional and relational help to overcome their sexual addiction.