Nymphomania (sex Addiction): Causes, Symptoms And Treatment
People with hypersexuality or sex addiction, formerly known as nymphomania in women and satyriasis in men they feel the need to continually obtain sexual gratification. 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. We will also define this concept and its relationship with other close ones: hypersexuality, nymphomania and satyriasis.
Hypersexuality is defined as frequent, excessive and uncontrollable increase in desire and sexual activity. Although the term is not included in diagnostic classifications, ‘hypersexuality’ is the official concept to refer to alterations of this type. Hypersexuality is also known as ‘sex addiction’.
Addictions are behavioral and/or brain alterations that consist of the compulsive search for rewarding stimuli or that cause relief from emotional discomfort. This compulsion comes to occupy most of life to the detriment of other aspects, such as social and work functioning.
“Nymphomania” is an archaic word which was used to specifically refer to female hypersexuality but has become a colloquial synonym for ‘sex addiction’. In the case of men, the term ‘satiriasis’ was mainly used. The ICD-10 still includes these two terms within the category ‘Excessive sexual drive’. Hypersexuality was not included in the DSM-5 due to lack of scientific evidence.
A person is considered hypersexual or sex addicted when their preoccupation with sexual activity causes discomfort or interferes with normal functioning. It is estimated that between 3 and 6% of the population has some degree of sex addiction.
Causes
If we understand nymphomania or hypersexuality as a sex addiction, we can explain the development of this disorder from brain dopaminergic activity. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in pleasure and reinforcement; Our body secretes it when we eat, when we consume some substances or when we have an orgasm.
The biological component of addictions is attributed to search for sensations associated with dopamine. When a person becomes addicted to a behavior or stimulus, they acquire a physical and/or psychological dependence and also develop tolerance to the object of addiction; This means that to obtain the same physiological effect requires an increasingly higher dose.
Hypersexuality can also occur as a result of the use 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 sexual drive.
In many cases nymphomania appears as a secondary symptom of other psychological disorders. In particular, dementia, 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.
Symptoms of sex addiction
Not being officially considered a disorder, sex addiction does not have its own diagnostic criteria. However, experts have identified different signs and symptoms characteristic of hypersexuality.
Excessive masturbation and sex are the main symptom of sex addiction. The person spends most of his or her time searching for sexual gratification, for example visiting pornographic websites and trying to find sexual partners (including prostitution professionals), and is unable to give up these activities even though he tries 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 that these have for their lives ; Among others, it is common for those who have hypersexuality to be repeatedly unfaithful to their partners or to find it difficult to connect intimately with them.
Sex addiction facilitates the appearance of paraphilias, that is, obtaining sexual pleasure from atypical sources (such as pain or specific objects), and behaviors that can be classified as harassment, especially if sexual desire is focused on specific people. .
Intervention and treatment
The treatment of nymphomania is similar to that which would be carried out in 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 is primarily about increasing motivation for change and development of alternative rewarding activities.
2. Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical behavioral therapy, developed by Marsha Linehan, is one of the treatments we know as ‘third generation cognitive-behavioral therapies’. It differs from classic CBT in its emphasis on emotions and meditation through Mindfulness as 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 hypersexual people or people with other types of addictions because they Help share your problems and possible strategies to handle them. They are especially effective in helping the person confront their denials and rationalizations regarding addiction.
Many of these groups are based on the 12-step framework developed by the Alcoholics Anonymous community, 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 for improve communication, trust and sexual satisfaction between the person with nymphomania and his or her partner.
5. Medication
Antidepressant drugs can be effective to reduce hypersexuality derived from emotional discomfort. If nymphomania occurs as a result of bipolar disorder or hormonal alterations, mood stabilizers and hormonal therapies (particularly antiandrogens) are sometimes prescribed, respectively. However, the use of drugs should only be initiated on medical indication.
