Establishing a Definition
Mental health professionals may use the term sex addiction when describing people whose sex-related thoughts, fantasies, and actions cause problems for them and/or others. They may also use other terms, including hypersexual disorder, hypersexuality, or compulsive sexual behavior. Regardless of which label is used, core symptoms of sex addiction include:- Compulsive sexual urges
- An inability to control or limit sexual behavior
- Frequent involvement in risky sexual behavior
- Changes in mood
- Increased tolerance, potentially resulting in a need for riskier or more intense sexual experiences
- Prioritizing sexual behavior over other daily activities
- Inability to meet home, work or school responsibilities because of compulsive sexual behavior
- Withdrawal symptoms similar to some forms of substance withdrawal when trying to halt or cut back on sexual behavior
