Last week I attended the 47th annual AASECT conference for the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists. Along with two of my colleagues, I presented on a multi-disciplinary approach to the treatment of difficulty with sexual intercourse in women. I also attended many informative sessions on a variety of sexual topics, including two sessions on sex addiction.
Sex addiction is a somewhat controversial term in the field, with some arguing that it is a true addiction and others arguing that it does not meet addiction criteria. The latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the publication of the American Psychological Association that includes mental diagnoses, did not include a diagnosis of sex addiction (or rather hypersexuality, the proposed term). The controversy about sexual addiction has led to the use of a number of alternative terms, including sexual compulsivity, compulsive sexual behaviour, and problematic sexual behaviour.
In my own work as a sex therapist, I am not really concerned about whether or not a person’s sexual behaviour constitutes a true addiction. Rather, I am interested in whether or not the sexual behavior is causing problems or distress in the person’s life. For example, is the sexual behaviour resulting in negative consequences in at work, school, or the person’s relationship? Is the sexual behaviour causing the person to put themselves at risk physically such as through exposure to sexually transmitted infections? Is the sexual behaviour causing financial stress?
Despite the fact that sex is ever-present in our society, sex is still surrounded by shame and secrecy, particularly topics such as porn, masturbation, same-sex activity, and paraphilias. The taboo surrounding sex is part of what makes it difficult for people to determine if their sexual behaviour is really problematic, and to find good support. Whether we call it sex addiction, compulsive sexuality, or something else, if your sex life is causing you distress or problems in your life, sex therapy can help.