Why Is Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Considered A Mental Disorder?

CSBD is a mental disorder that is marked by compulsive sexual behavior. An individual with CSBD is obsessed with feelings, sexual thoughts, or behaviors that affect his or her health, job, relationship, or other parts of one's life. It is also called hypersexuality, hypersexual disorder, nymphomania, or sexual addiction.

Compulsive sexual behavior may involve fantasies and activities outside the bounds of legally, morally accepted sexual behavior.

The symptoms associated with compulsive sexual behavior include:

• Generally, acceptable sexual acts are taken to extremes that are harmful to the individual or others.
• Sexual impulses are intense and may feel as if they're beyond one's control.
• Using compulsive sexual behavior as an escape from other problems such as anxiety, stress, or depression.

• One continues to engage in risky sexual behaviors despite serious consequences such as loss of important relationships or problems at work.
• Have trouble establishing as well as maintaining emotional intimacy, even if the individual is married or is in a committed relationship.

The cause of compulsive sexual behavior is unclear though possible causes are mentioned in the next section.

Possible causes of compulsive sexual behavior

• Sex hormone levels
• An imbalance of natural brain chemicals
• Conditions that affect the brain such as Dementia, Multiple Sclerosis, etc.
• Changes in brain pathways, the network of nerves that allows the brain cells to communicate with one another

Compulsive sexual behavior can occur both in men and women, though it's more common in men. It can also affect anyone regardless of one's sexual preference, whether bisexual, heterosexual, or homosexual.

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Risk factors that hike compulsive sexual behavior

• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Psychological conditions such as a mood disorder, impulse control disorder, or mental health problem
• A history of sexual or physical abuse

Warning signs of compulsive sexual behavior

• Engaging in sadistic sex
• Having multiple partners or extramarital affairs
• Intercourse with anonymous partners or prostitutes
• Evading emotional involvement in sexual relationships
• Engaging in excessive masturbation
• Making use of commercial phone sex conversations for satisfaction
• Regularly visiting sexually explicit services or internet sites
• Having a fixation on an inaccessible partner
• Frequent use of pornographic materials

When should you seek professional help?

Please contact a counselor immediately, if:

• You feel and think you may cause harm with uncontrolled sexual behavior
• You're suicidal
• You have bipolar disorder or any other problem accompanied by impulse control and you feel like your sexual behavior is going out of control

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