Sexual Obsession: The Consequences Of Sexual Addiction

Introduction
Cooper et al (2001) defines sexual addiction as ‘a life threatening obsession- a pattern of out-of-control sexual behaviour with serious physical, emotional and legal consequences.’ While there are many definitions and translations of what sexual addiction truly is, the above mentioned definition of sexual addiction reveals to us that, like all other addictions, sexual addiction affects the individual on many different levels and has serious consequences which are progressive and could potentially be harmful. The many other definitions of sexual addiction also reveal to us that most sex addicts fail to control their compulsive sexual behaviour and are later faced with feelings of guilt and anxiety as a result thereof. It is therefore important to understand that because of the nature of any addiction, all the effects of addictive behaviour are interrelated. Sexual addiction could be caused by a variety of internal and external factors, and we will
Despite their unsuccessful attempts of controlling or reducing their sexual urges, they continue engaging in their sexual behaviour because of their mood states such as anxiety, depression, boredom, etc. There are certain manifestations of hypersexuality, namely masturbation, internet sex, pornography, phone sex and many others. It is important to bear in mind that there is nothing wrong with masturbation itself, and some of the other specifiers. It only becomes a problem when these are manifested in an addictive manner, excessively and due to or as a result of negative mood