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Four sex addiction myths

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This excerpt from People who are Addicted to Sex has been published with permission from Penguin Books SAand is available from all leading stores.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – the DSM as it is known – is the ‘holy grail’ as far as psychiatry and psychology are concerned.

And even though each new edition often attracts huge criticism and concern from professionals within the helping field, it is fairly true to say that if a condition does not make it into the ‘bible’ for one reason or another, then it certainly does not exist as far as the medical aids are concerned, and they will not pay for treatments.

The International Classification of Diseases, known as the ICD, is in its tenth edition and is published by the World Health Organization.

It doesn’t list sex addiction as a disease either. Each edition of the ICD and the DSM try to be congruent with each other – it works at some times better than others!

Sex addiction has had something of a chequered past, as far as the history of the DSM is concerned. It was only in the third revised edition (1987) that sex addiction was mentioned for the first and only time! The fifth edition (2013) was recently published and once again sex addiction was left out.

What was, however, included was Internet addiction (page 63). This condition is, of course, associated with sex addiction.

Four sex addiction myths

Before looking at a variety of case studies, which I hope will offer greater insight into sex addiction, I would like to dispel four of the most common, major sex addiction myths that continue to flourish.

1. ‘Sex addiction cannot be an addiction because nothing is ingested.’

Sex addiction is a process addiction, in which the person becomes dependent on sex or activities around sex. This causes the brain to release neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers and make one ‘feel good’.

2. ‘Sex addicts have a higher libido than other people and have to have sex all the time.’

Sex addicts usually have a sexual behaviour pattern that is totally out of control – it has nothing to do with libido.

3. ‘Women cannot be sex addicts.’

Even though this has improved over the years that I have been in practice, there is still resistance to seeing women as sex addicts.

Women are more easily seen as love addicts and relationship addicts, but sex addicts? Much harder!

It is because of this denial that there are many female sex addicts who struggle to access the right kind of assistance and treatment.

4. ‘All sex addicts are paedophiles and sex offenders.’

Most sex addicts are not paedophiles. Some may be sex offenders; some are not. And some paedophiles may be sex addicts.

It is really difficult to find figures in this regard because offenders do not necessarily seek help. The first time they usually enter the system, so to speak, is when they get caught by the police.

About the book:
Excessive engagement in prostitution, pornography, phone and chat room sex, exhibitionism, voyeurism and compulsive masturbation – such behaviours may point to sexual addiction.

In this book, Joanne Brodie pulls away the blankets to uncover the hidden reality of a condition that has become prevalent in our increasingly sexualised society.

The author’s frank observations and shrewd insights are based on compelling case studies and years of experience as a counsellor for the afflicted, as well as her own struggle with sex addiction.

In her wry tone, and with quirky humour, she deflates several myths surrounding sexual addiction, identifies behavioural patterns associated with it and, ultimately, advises on the steps to healing.

You can purchase a copy of People who are Addicted to Sex from Kalahari.com.

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