Is sex addiction a legitimate disease?

Yes, there is such a thing as sex addiction, but it has nothing to do with sex that comes from love, close bonds, or intimacy, and more to do with finding a sexual outlet to deal with non-sexual emotional issues. It involves risk taking and poor judgment. Clinical depression can accompany the behavior and this behavior can occur in men and women.It isn't hormone related.

A friend of mine suffered from this, and suffered for it. Sex addiction is a secretive disease, it isn't sexy, and one can't conclude that if two sex addicts got together they'd be happy with that fact. Many of his friends who weren't aware of his condition only learned of it gradually, after his funeral.

He committed suicide when he was about to be outed in a very public manner. Addictive behavior (of almost any sort) is destructive, and can be treated, but the addict must first realize they need treatment.My friend apparently never admitted he needed help. I am not a doctor or a therapist, but am the child of a MSW (Masters, Social Work) and heard a lot of stories as I was growing up.

(No names, just general case information!) Enough to know some important keywords, and to have recognized what was going on with my friend, if I'd given it some thought. As they say, is 20/20. Tiger Woods is in therapy.

I never asked him to be a role model, so I'm not following his story closely. I hear occasional sports or financial news stories about his sponsors, but the public has a short memory. If he is able to get past this and not end up in the news again except for his golf, I think his career will be fine.

He would be wise to stay in ongoing therapy once he finishes this intense work he's doing right now.

I would have to say that it is not in any way an excuse by far. If nothing else it should be recoginized as an obsessive - compulsive disorder. Making it so that they can not control their sexual hunger.

Therefore a disease or an excuse "NO", a disorder "Yes" . flickr.com/photos/damienfaure/3073416265.

It really depends on how you define disease. Most people think of a disease as something caused by a foreign parasite invading the body, like a viruse or bacteria. But current definitions of a disease are much more liberal.

According to dictionary. Com, disease: "a disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of geneticor developmental errors, infection, poisons, nutritional deficiency or imbalance, toxicity, or unfavorable environmental factor" My father, being a former alcoholic, is convinced that any addiction is a disease. And there are many people who feel that way.

But there also people who think that addictions are excuses. And even if they believe addictions are valid, you can't really be self-diagnosed. There's a very strict criteria and must be evaluated by a professional before you can claim to have an addiction.

For example, the clinical definition for alcoholism is, "a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking, most notably denial.

Each of these symptoms may be continuous or periodic. " JAMA considers alcoholism a disease. The dis functioning organ would be the brain.

If you could prove that sexual addiction causes the brain to malfunction or otherwise deteriorate, then I think you have a valid argument. I would probably have to say no, it's not a disease. Even if you have a testosterone imbalance, I would say the sex addiction is a symptom of another disease, not the disease itself.In Tiger's case, from what i've heard in the interviews of the women he had affairs with, he has other emotional issues.

Dependency issues, he convinced these women that he needed someone to take care of him, that he was lonely and that he was emotionally, psychologically abused by his wife. Maybe he was using these excuses to score. But I think, more likely that his inability to reconcile issues with his wife are the causes of his adultery, not cat scratch fever.

Addiction is a major issue in modern society, whether it be an addiction to drugs, technology, food, or even sex. Some are predisposed to addiction: my family has had a long line of alcoholics, so I try to avoid liquor as much as possible. This has a lot to do with genetics and the chemistry in the brain concerning impulse control, but that's a whole other story.

People who say that men are "sex addicts" are just exaggerating ordinary testosterone. There are still many emotions surrounding Tiger's affair, so a Tiger fan could probably come up with sex addiction as a cause (and try to clear his name in the process, even). Addiction is an absolutely real problem, but many use it as an excuse.

Sadly enough, these are the people that twist society's views of addiction so much that it can even prevent addicts from seeking the help they need and deserve.

I think so if a person is looking for a sense of value. If the need for self-esteem is great. In this respect sex can be just the same as a drug.In My opinion.

There are basically two types of addiction: physical and psychological. A great example to explain this is addiction to cigarettes. Psychological addiction is simply the need to do whatever action not because the body needs it to satisfy something, but because the mind needs it.

Many people have said that one of the hardest parts of quitting smoking is getting out of the habit. People smoke after dinner, when they get in their car, etc. Have you seen the commercial where the man steals a postal truck for his smoke break? This is a prime example of psychological addiction.

Physical addiction, on the other hand, is the body actually needing something. We are all addicted to oxygen and water.Duh. But a lot of us are addicted to carbohydrates as well.

Have you ever tried a low carb diet? Didn't you feel really weak? If you stayed with it, then you realized that your body learned how to more effectively use the carbs it already has and lost its addiction to carbs.

Anyway, back to cigarettes. The body gets addicted to the nicotine and craves it. Thus, withdrawls and all that jazz.

So, how does that relate to sex? Well first off, sex is a very emotional act. You are extremely vulnerable and trusting of your partner.

You also receive that trust from your partner. This can lead to a psychological dependence to sex. I've heard that whenever a person has an orgasm, chemicals are released that are similar to those released when taking an opiate.

As we all know, some personally unfortunately, opiates are addictive. So in short, my unprofessional opinion is that sex is addictive. Trustworthiness:Vendor reliability:Privacy:Child safety.

I think it would be misclassified as a disease. I believe a disorder would be a better description.

If being a sex addict's a disease, then I am currently suffering from "Mahaloean Syndrome," a disease whose features are being on Mahalo too much. I don't think alcoholism is a disease either. I think people just like to get drunk because they feel better when they're trashed and they get addicted to that feeling.

I think sex addiction is the same way. People feel better when they're having sex (duh) when they're not, and they get addicted to that feeling. They get addicted to the psychological feelings sex educes.

They don't know how to "feel good" otherwise. It's like a drug, but it's no different than drug addiction. Sex releases many endorphins which are very much like some recreational drugs.

And you'll notice one thing. Most sex addicts are wealthy or famous men. Almost all men sometimes fantasize about the life of a sex addict but they could never get away with it.

They could never have their partners tolerate it and it would be difficult to attract the hoard of sex partners that sex addiction requires. It's easy for the celebrity to pursue sex addiction. It takes little to no effort on their part.

If they end up getting divorced or whatever, they can easily rebound. If sex addiction is a disease, then all men have the genetics to potentially develop it. The risk factors for male sex addiction are marital separations, money, power, fame, and good looks.

The risk factors for female sex addiction are broken homes, emotional problems, and low self-esteem.

When some one is rich and caught up in the act with a mistress, it is an addiction. For normal people, it is cheating.

Yes it is an excuse - excuse to take responsibility to experience the ecstasy by yourself and alone-- with nobody but you and your Creator. According to my experiences that 'NATURAL HIGH' is very enjoyable and can feel as great or even better than sex, and I do love my sex life as it is very pleasurable. Yes, we are sexual beings but we all came to this world by our self - alone - and we will leave by our self - alone - so isn't about time that human beings move to the next and highest level of JOY and creative ecstasy which is beyond sexual orgasm?

Beside that - sex is something to have under control, just we have to control what we eat and drink.. Yes we reproduce through sex - but who says that is the only way for human reproduction and creativity? When sex became the main or even only way to ecstasy and joy, relaxation and fun - that is not healthy. Unfortunately human life quality is still too poor to experience joyousness above the sex...but ..we are still evolving ...thank God :) Tnx 4 checking me out ... :).

Sex Addiction is not a disease in itself. Rather, it is a symptom of other physiological or psychological disorders or diseases. It has more to do with psychology or hormonal activity than anything else.

Coming to the question of legitimacy of sex addiction. Here, I would say that since anybody has no control on the physiological or psychological or hormonal disturbances going inside his/her body, the question of legitimacy of sex addiction is baseless. It has nothing to do with legitimacy.It is neither legitimate nor illegitimate.

The question of legitimacy arises when somebody does something deliberately, in consent with or in opposition with his conscience. Any disease (I repeat, any) cannot be called legitimate or illegitimate because nobody has a direct control on diseases. The question of legitimacy is concerned with acts.

Those acts that go against constitution or against one's conscience are illegitimate. For example, having extra-marital relations is an illegitimate according to some constitutions and so are stealing, gambling, racial discrimination etc.Similarly, those acts which do not go against the constitution or conscience are considered legitimate acts. So, that's what I think about it.

Opinions may differ however.Thanks.

Sex Addiction is a disease, however it is not as simple as it is depicted. It is as Psychological problem which requires treatment just like drug addiction. The thing is that promiscuity is usually passed off as sex addiction and this is not the case.

Someone can have an extremely active sexual life, engaging in sexual activities with multiple partners, and are not characterized as being sexual addicts. The complexity of this disorder would then lead us to wonder if on some occasions it is being used as a scapegoat by individuals who seek to rationalize their anti-social behaviors. Some of the Psychological symptoms associated with sex addiction are related to Sexual Rage Disorder whereby the individual may become distressed, anxious and violent if they are not able to satisfy their sexual cravings.

Also, please be reminded that for an action to be considered a disorder, it must impair your social life as it normally was. So, for example, sex addicts will give up social, occupational and recreational activities due to their behavior. Sex addiction is a legitimate disease and whereas I have the personal belief that most men are innate cheaters, that is just my belief :) Cheating and being promiscuous is not sufficient for someone to be considered a sex addict.

Addiction is a disease of the mind, sometimes people are genetically predisposed, not always. It is cunning, baffling and powerful. Every addict is different, no two are the same.

Alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, video games, it matters not, it is destructive. The symptoms are usually similar, restlessness, irritability, discontentment, lying, cheating, sometimes stealing, dishonesty in essence. Addicts do not change until they are faced with major consequences to their actions, losing all their money, dignity, relationships, or any combination thereof.

Addiction is self destruction. Classified by the inability to make choices that would help them to be successful and productive, they may be successful or influential and their disease may remain hidden for many years, they often go to great lengths to hide their addiction as opposed to getting help. It is not until they are morally, spiritually, and or financially bankrupt, completely defeated that they are willing to change.In most cases.

Some do seek help early on at the urging of friends or relatives, in most cases addicts must hit bottom before they are able to seek help and recover. It is a real disease. Alcoholics Anonymous is the foundation of all recovery programs, the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous outlines what one must do to recover, anyone is able to benefit by taking the steps outlined in the Big Book, even people who are not addicts or alcoholics will lead a better life by adhering to the principles outlined in the Big Book of AA.

It has helped more addicts than any other program worldwide. Tiger Woods is no exception. Not all men are addicts, whoever said that is being ridiculous and apparently biased.

There are often underlying causes and sometimes other mental disorders are present and need to be addressed. In order for addicts to recover they need to become honest, humble, trusting, and accountable. Anyone can recover if they put as much effort into their recovery as they did their addiction.

I'm going with Chazz Michael Michaels' prognosis of "It's a real disease with doctors and medicine and everything!

I don't believe that it is an excuse, although some might use it to justify some means. Real sex addiction is in my opinion a Psychological disease and a person suffering from it should seek for help.

I believe Sex Addiction should not be classified as a Disease, if you reference the meaning of the word 'Disease' it states "With word origins meaning "dis-ease" or "lack of ease" in a certain area of the body a disease or medical condition is an abnormal condition of an organism that impairs bodily functions, associated with specific symptoms and signs. " ala en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disease So more specifically I think it would be classified as Disorder, if you reference the meaning of 'Disorder' it states "In medicine, a disorder is a functional abnormality or disturbance. Medical disorders can be categorized into mental disorders, physical disorders, genetic disorders, emotional and behavioral disorders, and functional disorders." ala en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disease#Disorder So Sex Addiction in my opinion would be best classified as a Mental or Emotional Disorder.

Beyond the specific classification of the Addiction, I can guarantee that it is used often as an excuse in cases of infidelity.

Addiction is a disease of the brain... of the way of thinking. The behaviors/substance use in any addiction are the symptoms of the disease. In the same way an alcoholic uses alcohol a sex addict uses sex.. for temporary pleasure in the end resulting in devastating consequences and it is the repetition of these behaviors despite devastating consequences the defines a person as an addict.

The sex and philandering Tiger Woods is/was involved in demonstrates all the qualities of addictive behavior. .. repeated behavior that results in devastating consequences.. so sex, alcohol, drugs, or whatever an addiction can be to a very wide variety of behaviors and substances but the behaviors such as the extra marital sex in Tigers Case is a symptom of the disease of his mind, his disease of way of thinking.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.