Are you worried that you might be a sex addict? Do you have thoughts that you can’t control? Or actions that you can’t explain? Engaging in sexual activity is not the issue, the problem starts when you start centering your life around your sexual urges. If you’d like to find out how you can get help, you should keep on reading.
Symptoms of Sex Addiction
Since sex add isn’t covered as an addiction in the DSM-5, you might have difficulty trying to figure out what its characteristics are. But one of the main characteristics that you should be privy to is your ability to hide your addiction from those that are around you. For instance, you may not be engaging in your activities in places that you’ll be seen in. However, in some cases, you might find that there are symptoms that are easily identifiable. If you have a sex addiction, or you are worried that you might have one, you should consider looking out for these symptoms.
- You have obsessive thoughts and uncontrollable fantasies
- You may engage in compulsive relationships. Usually with multiple partners, and sometimes strangers
- You lie to cover your shady behavior
- You’re constantly preoccupied with sex and your fantasies
- You even put yourself in danger to have sex
If this rings true to you, you should remember that having sexual thoughts or engaging in sexual activity is not the problem. The problem starts when your desires start to cloud your judgment and interfere with parts of your life. For instance, you’d rather pick up a stranger at your local bar instead of going to your family dinner party.
Treatments for Sex Addiction
You would be surprised to find that sex addiction doesn’t have a wide range of treatment options that are available. Even though there are sex therapists who are trained to treat your addiction. If you see a therapist for your addiction, they might recommend the following treatment options.
Treatment Programs
You should find a wide range of sex treatment centers that offer inpatient treatment programs. These programs are essential for you. They’re designed to remove you from any triggers and teach you ways to control your impulsive behavior.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
If you’re not aware of what may be causing your impulsive triggers, this type of treatment is ideal for you. It not only helps you to identify them, but it also helps you to change how you behave.
Medications
Surprisingly, you can benefit from a supervised round of medicated therapy. There are different types of antidepressants that are known for their ability to regulate your urges. They send signals to the brain and alter your responses to certain stimulants.
What Should You Do?
It’s important for you to get help as soon as possible. You’re faced with a unique challenge that requires expertise to help you. Your behavior has the potential to wreck your most treasured relationships. Additionally, you’re putting your health in jeopardy when you continue to engage in risky behavior, especially with strangers.
The Bottom Line
The best thing that you should do to ensure that you’re safe is to speak to someone who can offer you help. If you’re embarrassed about opening up to your partner, there are various sex therapists that you can use. Alternatively, you should consider other resourceful options that you should find when you visit this website https://impactrecoverycenter.net/.