Sex Addiction Is A Serious Illness

Earlier, sex addiction was not classified under mental disorders on the international levels, but looking at the seriousness of this disease, the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems in the year 2022 is going to redefine sex addiction in ICD11.

Sex addiction is a condition where a person loses control over his/her thoughts and sexual behavior and constantly has erotic and sexual thoughts, along with the desire to indulge in sexual activities again and again. This greatly affects a person both mentally and physically, as well as impacts his/her social and emotional behavior.

'Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder’ Can Be Sex Addiction

Significantly, until now, sex addiction was not classified as a mental disorder by the World Health Organization (ICD10) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA), because of varied sex drives in different people. But now, certain changes are being made in this theory.

The new definition of sex addiction given in ICD11 is to be implemented from next year. When a person is unable to control his/her addiction and repeatedly has an urge to have sex, then their behavior impacts their personal, family, social and educational, and professional life, and this is known as Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder.

According to the ICD11 presented to the World Health Assembly in May 2019, if a person has an uncontrollable desire for sex for 6 months or more, then it is diagnosed as a disorder.

What Is Sex Addiction And Its Complications

Giving detailed information about the seriousness of sex addiction to ETV Bharat Sukhibhava, Senior Psychiatrist Dr.Veena Krishnan explains that due to this addiction, the person becomes addicted to pornography as well as masturbation. At the same time, in many cases, a person starts having multiple sexual relationships and also with women engaged in prostitution to pacify the lust. If this condition is left unnoticed, the person may not be able to stop himself/herself from getting involved in sexual crimes.

Reasons For Sex Addiction

Dr. Krishnan states that many times this addiction is a result of some mental illness, unhealthy hormones, continuously watching erotic content like pornography, or due to a physical illness. Additionally, depression, anxiety, learning disabilities, and obsessive-compulsive tendencies can also lead to addiction. Nowadays, web series and movies on OTT platforms are full of explicit content, which also attracts and excites a person, ultimately resulting in constant sexual thoughts. Apart from this, people whose family members have a history of such an addiction are also vulnerable to becoming sex addicts. Apart from this, there are also many mental conditions, due to which this type of addiction can arise in a person.

Symptoms Of Sex Addiction

• The person constantly thinks about sex.
• Multiple sexual relationships
• Spending most of the time watching porn
• Indulging with prostitutes
• No control over oneself
• Being addicted to masturbation

How To Deal With It?

Dr. Krishnan informs that this addiction can be brought under control with the help of various therapies and medication. This will help the person gain control over himself/herself and strengthen his/her mental health, which will help in fighting against addiction.

Therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy, other therapeutic methods, and medications that try to help patients divert their thoughts and behaviors in another direction. Apart from this, with the help of medicines, efforts are made to reduce the impulse of sex in the person and keep the mind calm.