Nymphomania (sex addiction): causes, symptoms and treatment

Hypersexuality appears when an uncontrollable dependence on sexual gratification is created.

People with hypersexuality or sex addiction, formerly known as nymphomania in women and satiriasis in men, feel the need for sexual gratification.feel the need to obtain sexual gratification continuously. However, they do so not so much seeking pleasure as trying to relieve the tension and emotional discomfort they feel.

In this article we will analyze the causes, symptoms and treatments of sex addiction.. In addition we will delimit this concept and its relation with other close ones: hypersexuality, nymphomania and satiriasis.

Nymphomania, sex addiction and hypersexuality.

Hypersexuality is defined as frequent, excessive and uncontrolled frequent, excessive and uncontrollable increase of desire. and sexual activity. Although the term is not included in diagnostic classifications, 'hypersexuality' is the official concept to refer to disorders of this type. Hypersexuality is also known as 'sex addiction'.

Addictions are behavioral and/or brain disorders that consist of the compulsive search for rewarding stimuli or stimuli that provide relief from emotional discomfort. This compulsion comes to occupy most of life to the detriment of other aspects, such as social and occupational functioning.

"Nymphomania" is an archaic word which was used to refer specifically to female hypersexuality but has become a colloquial synonym for 'sex addiction'. In the case of men, the term 'satiriasis' was mainly used. ICD-10 still lists these two terms under the category 'excessive sexual drive'. Hypersexuality was not included in the DSM-5 due to lack of scientific evidence.

A person is considered to be hypersexual or sexually addicted when his or her preoccupation with sexual activity causes discomfort or interferes with normal functioning. It is estimated that 3-6% of the population has some degree of sex addiction.

Causes

If we understand nymphomania or hypersexuality as an addiction to sex, we can explain the development of this disorder on the basis of brain dopaminergic activity. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in pleasure and reinforcement; our organism secretes it when we eat, when we consume some substances or when we have an orgasm.

The Biological component of addictions is attributed to the search for the sensations the search for sensations associated with dopamine.. When a person becomes addicted to a behavior or stimulus, he/she acquires a physical and/or psychological dependence and also develops tolerance to the object of addiction; this means that to obtain the same physiological effect he/she requires an increasing dose.

Hypersexuality can also occur as a consequence of the consumption of dopamine agonist drugs, such as those used to treat Parkinson's disease, as well as lesions in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which are responsible for regulating the sexual impulse.

In many cases nymphomania appears as a secondary symptom of other psychological disorders. secondary symptom of other psychological disorders. In particular, dementias, borderline personality disorder, autism, bipolar disorder and Klüver-Bucy and Kleine-Levin syndromes stand out. Addiction to alcohol and other drugs can also facilitate the development of hypersexuality.

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Symptoms of sex addiction

Not officially considered a disorder, sex addiction has no diagnostic criteria of its own. has no diagnostic criteria of its own. However, experts have identified different signs and symptoms characteristic of hypersexuality.

Excessive masturbation and sex practice are the main symptom of sex addiction. The person spends most of his or her time in the search for sexual gratification, for example by visiting pornographic sites and trying to find sexual partners (including prostitution professionals), and is unable to give up these activities despite multiple attempts to do so. on multiple occasions.

People with nymphomania neglect their obligations and responsibilities in favor of their addiction, and maintain their compulsive behaviors. despite the negative consequences they have for their lives.Among others, it is common for those with hypersexuality to be repeatedly unfaithful to their partners or to find it difficult to connect intimately with them.

Sex addiction facilitates the emergence of paraphilias, i.e., obtaining sexual pleasure from atypical sources (such as pain or specific objects), and behaviors that can be classified as harassment, especially if the sexual desire is focused on specific individuals.

Intervention and treatment

The treatment of nymphomania is similar to that of other types of addictions, both behavioral and substance-related. Thus, the main focus is abstinence, at least temporarily, as well as the acquisition of healthy habits.

1. Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the dominant orientation in the psychological treatment of addictions. It focuses on the interrelationship between behavior, thought and emotion. In cases of addiction, CBT consists primarily of increasing motivation for change and the development of alternative rewarding activities..

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Dialectical behavioral therapy, developed by Marsha Linehan, is one of the treatments known as 'third generation cognitive-behavioral therapies'. It differs from classical CBT in its emphasis on emotions and on meditation through Mindfulnessas well as training in problem management skills.

3. Support groups

This type of group therapy is led by experts, who may be psychotherapists or recovered addicts. Support groups are very useful for people with hypersexual or other addictions because they help them share their problems and possible strategies for dealing with them. help them share their problems and possible strategies for dealing with them.. They are especially effective for the person to confront their denials and rationalizations regarding the addiction.

Many of these groups are based on the 12-step framework developed by the Alcoholics Anonymous fellowship, which was one of the first groups to identify hypersexuality as an addictive disorder.

4. Couples and marital therapy

In cases of sex addiction, couples therapy can be very beneficial in order to improve communication, trust and sexual satisfaction between the person with nymphomania between the person with nymphomania and his or her partner.

5. Medication

Antidepressant drugs can be effective in reducing hypersexuality. to reduce hypersexuality resulting from emotional distress. If nymphomania occurs as a consequence of bipolar disorder or hormonal disturbances, mood stabilizers and hormonal therapies (particularly anti-androgenic) are sometimes prescribed, respectively. However, the use of drugs should only be initiated by medical indication.