subject: Sexual Addiction Activity [print this page] Sexual Addiction Activity Sexual Addiction Activity
Sexual Addiction affects the most personal feelings of an individual due to its intense effects. It can start from puberty and can later develop into some serious compulsive behaviour. This includes voyeurism, masturbation, pornography, chronic multiple extra-marital affairs, molestation, harassment, cybersex and others. It can affect the intimate relationships with family and friends, loss of finances and career, violation of the law and health risks. Oftentimes, the addict is going through the stage of denial. He believes that the sexual activity is still normal, until it seriously damages his internal and external world. There are several behavioural patterns of sexual addiction that will determine if a person is sexually addicted.
One of these behavioural patterns is the out-of-control sexual behaviour. Once a sexual activity becomes habitual and an individual is unable to control such acts, causing his life to be unmanageable, then he might be into sexual addiction. The Inability to stop the sexual behaviour despite its severe consequences may also lead to suicide attempts, abortions, exposure to AIDS and unwanted pregnancies.
The Addict has also the persistent pursuit of self-destructive behaviour and an attitude that says, "I'll deal with the consequences when they come." He believes that that the addiction is not really serious and he can actually face the end results. He satisfies his addiction and escalating it further to other serious compulsive sexual activity, thus putting his entire life at risk.
He also has an ongoing desire to limit sexual behaviour. When the effects become apparent, the addict attempts to control his sexual activity but is unable to control it. To get distracted, he moves to a new neighbourhood or city, enters into new relationship or splurges on things but still unable to overcome the addiction. He succumbs back to the addiction and creates a greater peril.
As a primary coping strategy, the addict is engrossed with the sexual obsession and fantasy. Through the use of pornographic materials, he is able to temporarily fulfil his sexual fantasy. Indulging in pornography can also co-occur with masturbation. Later, he will seek for another sexual activity that can escalate the pleasure. Thus, he regularly increases the amount of sexual experience because the current sexual activity is no longer gratifying.
However, despite the involvement of the addict to various extra-marital affairs, he does not create any intimate relationships. He still ends up being lonely and suffering from shame, moral conflict, despair and intense anxiety. The addict is experiencing severe mood changes that are related to the sexual activity. He does not also recognize the inordinate amount of time he spent obtaining sex, being sexual or recovering from sexual experiences. In effect, he is neglecting his responsibilities to his family and society and other important social or recreational activities.
