HOME    WORLD    U.S.    POLITICS    CRIME    ENTERTAINMENT    HEALTH    TECH    TRAVEL    LIVING
October 26, 2009
What is sex addiction?
Posted: 05:34 PM ET
Share this on:
Share | Permalink | 7 Comments

Dr. Reef Karim
Assistant Clinical Professor, UCLA
Director, Control Center (for Addictions)

Sex Addiction, also known as compulsive sexual behavior or hypersexual disorder, is characterized by inappropriate or excessive sexual behaviors or thoughts that lead to subjective distress or impaired functioning. Sex Addicts have an inability to regulate their own feelings and act out sexually in order to deal with their negative feeling states.

Behavioral Addictions like sex addiction, pathologic gambling, compulsive shopping, internet/videogame addiction and disordered eating appear to be growing due to our higher paced society and the internet. Our treatment must keep up with our technology.

For more information go here...

7 Comments
More about: 360º Follow
7 Comments
Joanne P.   October 26th, 2009 10:24 pm ET

How does any therapist treat addiction to obsessive compulsive computer folly? Is there a 12 step program?

Katrina Taylor   October 26th, 2009 10:45 pm ET

Sex addition is also known as "I needed an excuse to explain my basic stupidity and disrespect for my partner" syndrome.

Pete Lash   October 26th, 2009 10:49 pm ET

To say that sex addiction is some type of cop-out is totally bogus. Mr. Phillips' entry into a rehab program isa rational, logical, and desireable plan. He should be given credit for making a decision to seek help and resolution to a definite condition.

Vernard Mercader   October 26th, 2009 10:57 pm ET

I have a cure. It's called a girlfriend.

Manuel Mota-Castillo, M.D.   October 26th, 2009 11:49 pm ET

Dr. Karim: I saw your interview in AD360 and that ignited my interest in reading your commentary. Unfortunately I was disappointed by how brief it is.
I wanted to see your take on the connection between bipolar mania and sexual indiscretions because I believe this is an angle that has been ignored by many addiction specialists. After I saw in your website a link to "Anxiety and Rage" I became more interested in learning what your view is on this matter because rage attacks are common in bipolar individuals. Besides, "anxiety" is, in many cases, manic agitation reported by the patient as feeling "hyper" or "anxious."
I hope you could write a more comprehensive column of this subject.
Thank you,
Manuel Mota-Castillo
Psychiatrist

Lori   October 27th, 2009 12:57 am ET

This is a very interesting ink. Thanks

:eah   October 27th, 2009 9:02 am ET

Sex addiction is merely an excuse for people [men] to get by with bad behavior and making poor choices. I just don't buy it.

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About this blog

A behind the scenes look at “Anderson Cooper 360°” and the stories it covers, written by Anderson Cooper, the AC360° staff and a network of contributors. Insight you can’t find anywhere else.

We search the news each day to show you what’s on our radar and what we’re planning for the show each night.

For more details, read our tips on how to win 360° approval for comments.

Send your instant feedback to Anderson Cooper 360°.

Featured Contributors
Candy Crowley
Candy Crowley is CNN's senior political correspondent and an AC360° contributor
David Gergen
David Gergen is CNN's senior political analyst and former presidential advisor
Roland S. Martin
Roland S. Martin is a nationally award-winning journalist and AC360° contributor
CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. All comments should be relevant to the topic and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. You are solely responsible for your own comments, the consequences of posting those comments, and the consequences of any reliance by you on the comments of others. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying and other information you provide via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement.
Home  |  World  |  U.S.  |  Politics  |  Justice  |  Entertainment  |  Health  |  Tech  |  Travel  |  Opinion  |  Living  |  Business  |  Sports  |  Time.com
Podcasts  |  Blogs  |  CNN Mobile  |  Preferences  |  Email Alerts  |  CNN Radio  |  CNN Shop  |  Site Map
© 2009 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress.com VIP