The many personalities of this world are phenomenal because they are all so different. Not one individual is the same, and that is one thing that makes the human brain as fascinating as it is. The human brain is quite beautiful; unfortunately, biochemical or other brain changes can alter proper functioning of the human brain, leading to mental disorders or diseases. Sexual addiction, although not always recognized, is a severe condition which affects many. Sexual addiction should be widely acknowledged as a severe issue because of its impact on the addict's nervous system, the root of its development, and its relevance to human behavior. What is sex addiction? The term "sexual addiction" is used to explain the behavior of a person who has an unusually intense sex drive or an obsession with sex. Those suffering from sexual addiction can be suffering from spiritual, biological, psychological, trauma-based, sexually anorexic, or mood-disordered. Out of all six, biological is the most common type of sex addiction. “The biological addict is someone who has conditioned their body to receive endorphins and enkephlines (brain chemicals) primarily through reinforcing a fantasy state with the ejaculation that provides these chemicals to their brain" (FAQ's: Heart to Heart…). In other words, the addict's body is able to use sensation's which come from having an orgasm to reward them for their self-destructive behavior. In the brain of a sex addict, the brain's dopamine receptors (pleasure-reward system) is triggered during sex, the dopamine receptors are temporarily pleasured and instead of a "reward" the brain is left craving more sex. As soon as the euphoria wears off, the addict is left feeling hopeless and ashamed. Now the venture for ... ... middle of paper ... ...epression, Bipolar, ADHD and Psychology Information. Web. 22 Feb. 2011. . Herkov, Michael, Mark S. Gold, M.D., and Drew D. Edwards, M.S. "What Causes Sexual Addiction? | Psych Central." Psych Central - Trusted Mental Health, Depression, Bipolar, ADHD and Psychology Information. Web. 22 Feb. 2011. . Praver, Frances Cohen, Ph.D. "What Drives a Sex Addict? | Psychology Today." Psychology Today: Health, Help, Happiness Find a Therapist. 7 Oct. 2009. Web. 22 Feb. 2011. . "Sexual Addiction Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment on MedicineNet.com." MedicineNet.com. Web. 22 Feb. 2011. .
In this paper I will be comparing and contrasting the Psychoanalytic formulations of addiction and the Cognitive models of addiction. According to Dennis L. Thombs, “people tend to get psychoanalysis and psychotherapy mixed up. Psychotherapy is a more general term describing professional services aimed at helping individuals or groups overcome emotional, behavioral or relationship problem” (119). According to Thombs and Osborn, “Cognitive refers to the covert mental process that are described by a number of diverse terms, including thinking, self-talk, internal dialogue, expectations , beliefs, schemas and so much more” (160). I believe these two factors play a major part in an individual’s life that has an addiction.
According to Leshner, drug addiction is a chronic brain disease that is expressed in the form of compulsive behaviors (Leshner, 2001). He believes that drug addiction is influence by both biological, and behavioral factors, and to solve this addiction problem we need to focus on these same factors. On the other hand, Neil Levy argues that addiction is not a brain disease rather it is a behavioral disorder embedded in social context (Levy, 2013). I believe, drug addiction is a recurring brain disease that can be healed when we alter and eliminate all the factors that are reinforcing drug addiction.
Hyper Sexual addiction is a disorder that can be defined as a person having a habitually elevated sex drive, fantasies, and urges. Nevertheless, compared to other sexual addictions, this could be known as one of the most riskiest and dangerous addiction. Hyper Sexual Addiction has become more prevalent because of the infidelities amongst some celebrities and political figures. Sexual addiction has always existed, but because of technology and social media, people have become more aware of it. People who suffer from this disorder are like drug addicts that crave drugs; they think they can stop, but the urges are constantly there. According to An Elements Behavioral Health article (2016), for the sex addict, sexual activity provides an intense,
An alternative position in this realm is the neurophysiological hypothesis proposed by Flor-Henry (1987).. As such, he proposed that the observed EEG differences in sex-offenders were reflective of a pathological neural organisation in the dominant hemisphere thus giving rise to abnormal sexual representations, which in turn lead to, disrupted connections with the non-dominant hemisphere. Consequently, only these abnormal ideas are capable of eliciting an orgasmic response. Contrary to these theories is the hypothesis that brain dysfunction may not produce the sexual urges; rather it may function to weaken an individu...
The fact that addiction is a brain disorder is a new detail that I learnt from the HBO video. As pointed out by Dr. Volkow, addiction as a brain disease renders the addicts unable to control themselves in relation to curbing their addiction problem. In conceptualizing addiction as a brain disease, Volkow illustrates this standpoint with the fact that the brain has a “natural reward system” that facilitates the learning of “behaviors that are necessary for survival” (NIDA 2006). Learning that the abused drugs take over this system – the dopamine system of the brain - was pivotal in finally grasping the rationale behind referring to addiction as a brain disorder. The brain with time becomes dependent on the abused drugs. This arises from the fact that natural rewards no longer have the capability to produce “normal levels of dopamine or pleasure” (NIDA 2006). As time goes on, the continued intake of drugs subsequently makes the addict lose all control over their use and dependen...
Sex is a beautiful thing that happens between two people, but sometimes sex can become addictive, and like with any other addiction, it can ruin lives. Patricia is in her mid-thirties, and to those who know her, she is a soccer mom with a successful career. But after her marriage ended due to her husband’s affair, Patricia became insecure, and started exploring dating sites on the internet – soon, Patricia was going on dates, sex dates - and in an interview with the Philadelphia Weekly, she admits that she is addicted to sex, and there is a problem. The American Psychiatric Association and Diagnostic (APAD) and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) don’t recognize the abuse of sex as an addiction. Although not recognize as an addiction, the abuse of sex has the same qualities as drug addiction and should be recognized as a medical condition.
A new form of sexual therapy that has been recently used is the ability of picturing images to arouse ones self. This new procedure states that sexual dysfunctional “people who are able to form conditioned responses easily become sexually aroused by a larger of situations than others find it difficult to establish a line between neutral stimulus and sexual response.
There are many different definitions in which people provide regarding addiction. May (1988) describes that addiction “is a state of compulsion, obsession, or preoccupation that enslaves a person’s will and desire” (p. 14). Individuals who suffer from addiction provide their time and energy toward other things that are not healthy and safe. The book
They include many statistics and definitions to help build our understanding and their argument. “Sexually active (teen) boys are 7x as likely as non-sexually active boys to have attempted suicide” (Olivier). This statistic is drawn from The Heritage Foundation’s study that relates depression and suicide to both sexually active and inactive teens. The Heritage Foundation is a widely accredited, and supported public policy research institute. This statistic shows that sex plays a huge role in teens ability to cope with emotions and to make decisions. It also highlights how it negatively effects teens mental stability overall. Another appeal to logos is the explanation of how the brain is affected after intimacy. “Consequently, documentation is acquired regarding a third, and often overlooked, risk of premarital sex: psychological consequences.” (Olivier). The authors discuss all of the possible negative physiological effects that occur because of engaging in sexual activity. It is explained that three chemicals in the brain are released after sex that help bond both partners together- dopamine, oxytocin, and vasopressin. The authors argue that even casual sex will bond people together since this a natural reaction to being intimate with another human. These bonding chemicals can keep people fixated on another person for years because of how strong the chemicals dopamine, oxytocin, and vasopressin are. Therefore,
Sexual addiction is any aggressive thoughts of sex in regard to one’s thought and action. It is even more dangerous when someone acts on his or her urges and cause harm on someone. Cases relating to sexual addiction is shown in tv shows such as CSI Miami or Law and Order: Criminal Intent. It allows to viewers to learn about the dangerous side of sex and how to protect others and themselves. I personally watch these television shows because I am very much interested in death, blood and all the weird stuff in life.
Patrick Carnes, Ph.D., the first person to identify and treat this affliction, hypothesized sex addiction results from a person needing certain neuro-chemical changes (4). Everybody experiences certain neuro-chemical changes that make the physical act of sex feel pleasurable. A normal person produces this stimulus, attains the natural high, and is satisfied. An addict, however, uses this chemical to escape pain or seek relief from stress (4). This theory supports a nature argument because there is nothing a person can do about it. Their body creates an altered response to a completely normal act and fosters an uncontrollable need to experience sex. It is comparable to an alcoholic's reaction to alcohol (4). The sex addict needs this chemical to be released in order to desensitize themselves from their problems. This is not healthy, but i...
Human sex research has made great advancements in recent years, however, there remains misconceptions that have yet to be completely exposed. A topic that falls under this category, but is still surrounded by stigma, is masturbation. In the past, mainly beginning in the 18th century, medical professionals began to claim that masturbation could have serious mental and physical health consequences. At that time, masturbation was considered to be immoral and was believed that it could lead to insanity, and even death. Yet, there was no scientific evidence to support these claims. With most cases, the evidence was only based on testimonies of supposed individuals suffering due to compulsive masturbation; even today there remains no evidence that masturbation is wrong or dangerous (Kaestle, 2011). Although many individuals retain negative attitudes toward masturbation, evidence suggests that these beliefs and attitudes are only common myth. The stigma that is associated with masturbation is often opposed with the commonality as well as the numerous benefits that can be attributed to it. Since masturbation is a natural behavior and can provide a safe sexual outlet, serve as a therapeutic treatment for sexual disorders and a method for self-discovery; it should be considered beneficial sexual act.
The ranges of sexually addictive behaviors are various. Sexual addictive behaviors include, but are not limited to compulsive masturbation, multiple affairs, unsafe sex, sexual anorexia, multiple or anonymous partners, pornography viewing, phone or cybersex, voyeurism, and exhibitionism (National, Sex). Despite the differences in the acting out behaviors, sexual addictions all have the same common denominator in their origins and aspects in relation to their developments. Thus, the underlying causes are the same.
Dombeck, Mark, PhD. "Introduction to Sexual Disorders." Mentalhelp. N.p., 1 Apr. 2002. Web. 5 Dec. 2013.
Essentially, it is the motivation or desire to seek out sex. In her book, What’s Love Got to Do with It?, Meredith Small points out that “psychiatrist and researcher John Bancroft sees our sex drive as an interaction between what goes on internally in our bodies and various stimuli from the outside” (43-44). Things intrinsic and extrinsic to humans can stimulate sexual desire, as is the case with any other appetite that humans have. In comparison, when someone is hungry, there is an internal force telling them to eat, and things such as smell or sight of food may influence that hunger as well. Sex drive and hunger are basic instincts that humans are biologically programmed to have, and they can both be affected by outside forces that stimulate the senses. In addition, psychological triggers such as “ghosts from our past, interruptions, or a tiring day at work” (Small 44) can spark up unconscious feelings and have an effect on a person’s sex drive. Coupled with individual differences, the complexity of the human brain makes it difficult to determine what stimuli instigate sexual arousal. According to the textbook Our Sexuality, “we do not all respond similarly to the same stimuli. Some people can become highly aroused if their partners use explicit sexual language; others find such words threatening or a sexual turnoff” (Crooks and Baur 146). Every person experiences a unique life, so it only makes sense that the same behavior can be pleasurable or disgusting depending on who is