Sex Addiction

Treatment for Sex Addiction

Sexual addiction tends to elicit little sympathy as it's often seen, particularly in the UK compared to the USA where it's a much more established diagnosis, as the kind of excuse trotted out by straying husbands. This is certainly the kind of diagnosis where it's extremely important a properly trained specialist is involved as it's all too easy for the inexperienced clinician to over-diagnose this condition. True sexual addiction produces devastating consequences for suffers such that not only marriages but also careers end up ruined.

Counselling and Therapy for Sex Addiction

Sexual Addiction requires a specialist with extensive experience in this area to establish the correct diagnosis. Sexual addiction is very treatable but it's vital to make the correct diagnosis first.

Clinical Partners have a team of Psychiatrists, Psychologists and Psychotherapists who are experienced in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of Sexual Addiction and they will be able to offer full support and advice for you and your family.  We are able to offer counselling and therapy for sex addiction.

We also can support you if you feel that you are suffering from related depression or other issues which can be connected including: alcohol and substance abuse or eating disorders.

By calling our clinical team on 0203 326 9160 you will be able to talk in confidence about your situation and we can recommend a specialist to assist you.

Behaviours associated with Sexual Addiction

In sexual addiction the compulsion to have sex is so great that the behaviour is acted out in the most inappropriate of circumstances. Sexual thoughts, as well as behaviours which are unusually intense and persistent, and are associated with upset and impaired activities of daily life are also included in this category. It's also important to distinguish sexual addiction from other sexual disorders which are referred to as the paraphilias – this is where sexual drives become deviant so this might be manifest in exhibitionism or voyeurism.

The most common ways that sexual addiction manifests itself are compulsive:

• cruising,
• fixation on an unattainable partner,
• autoeroticism (masturbation),
• use of erotica or pornography,
• use of the Internet for sexual purposes,
• multiple romantic relationships,
• sexuality in a relationship.
• use of prostitutes

The impact of Sexual Addiction

It is estimated that 6% of the population experience sexual addiction of which 1 in 5 are women. The negative impact of Sexual Addiction can be very broad reaching and includes:

• Breakdown of a proper relationship
• Work related issues and loss of job
• High exposure to STD's and HIV
• Depression and suicidal ideation
• Anxiety
• Regret and shame
• Intense highs and emotional lows
• Financial issues