It may be difficult to know when sexual addiction becomes a problem. However, if you find yourself constantly thinking about sex, even if it’s not with your partner, watching porn for hours on end, or masturbating more than usual.
That could be warning signs of an unhealthy relationship with sex. Read on to know more about sex addiction and how to get over sexual addiction.
What is sex addiction?
Sex is a natural part of the human experience. It can be romantic, beautiful, passionate, or as basic and simple as two people having an orgasm together. In some form or another, sex plays a role in almost everyone’s life. However, it becomes more than just something that happens in between relationships or on vacation for many people.
Compulsive behavior is an inability for individuals to manage the way they think about sex, which negatively affects all aspects of life. These effects often include interpersonal difficulties or work issues and poor performance at school or on the job due to distractions that arise from these persistent thoughts.
For this reason, many have questioned why it is not a diagnosable mental health disorder, according to the American Psychiatric Association (APA). The World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases lists compulsive sexual behavior as an impulse-control difficulty “characterized by persistent patterns” and classified it with other disorders such as kleptomania and trichotillomania
How to overcome sexual addiction?
1. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): This type of psychological treatment can be used in overcoming depression, anxiety, sexual addiction, and many other disorders by teaching the individual new positive coping skills. The patient will learn how they are affected when their thoughts change as well as how those changes affect what they do in response.
They also become more aware of where those negative emotions come from and understand why you may have them so that it’s easier for him or them to cope with these feelings on a day-to-day basis without feeling overwhelmed at random times during the week.
A recently published paper examining treatment methods presented at an Annual Meeting of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR) demonstrates how medications can play a crucial role in treating this condition without being FDA-approved specifically for it. But many are already useful tools against common problems like depression, anxiety disorder, ADHD/ADD, etc., which studies show often coexist with hypersexuality diagnoses.
3. Getting rid of trigger points: Dispose of or recycle pornographic magazines, pictures, videos, and anything else that puts you at risk of backsliding. Delete porn from your computer and clear history on sites formerly visited with the installation software to block pornography sites.
4. Find a distraction– Finding healthy, constructive ways to spend your energy is an important part of stopping sexual addiction. When you stop doing these addictive activities, it’s very likely that you’ll have a lot more excess energy than usual. Try exercising or taking up some other hobby and see if anyone form of activity does the trick for now – but don’t be afraid to try out something new!
5. Finding support-The support of friends and family is crucial for aiding recovery from compulsive sexual behavior. When you want to stop an addictive habit, it can be difficult if there are not many people in your life that understand what you’re going through or who will stand by your side as a friend during this vulnerable time.
However, when one has a love of others around them to help guide him/her down his/her own path towards healthy sexuality, then he/she may have more success at breaking free from their addiction than without someone on board with her throughout her journey. Online communities are also a good option.
6. Stay focused when you’re in the throes of addiction: it can be difficult to stick with your recovery plan. You may experience intense cravings for addictive sex and have a hard time resisting them at first. However, if you stay focused on your goal and work through these urges patiently- you’ll find that they will lessen over time until they finally fade away into nothingness altogether!
7. Consider a recovery coach-there are many advantages of having a recovery coach. Sex addiction coaching is a safe and confidential space where you can talk about your sex addiction without shame or judgment. If you feel like the traditional approach to therapy has not worked for you, then trying out this new form of treatment might be just what the doctor ordered.
Want help beating your sexual addiction? Get in touch with us today! At The Addictions Coach, we offer sexual addiction treatment like counseling sessions for people struggling with sexuality issues.
