Sex addiction

Question 1

Development

Answer 1

Predictors are:
- Early age onset
- Before brain is developed, inhibiting parts not yet there
- ELA, increases chance of problematic sex behaviour (EG repeating abuse/becomming abuser or taking risks)

Question 2

Alternative models

Answer 2

Hypersexuality
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Impulsive control disorder
high drive

They account better for the phenomena than the word addiction

They describe processes that can co-exist w addictive process

Question 3

Hypersexuality

Answer 3

Non problematic hightened sex drive. Not comparable to addiction as these indivus don’t wich to change and don’t experience distress

Question 4

OCD

Answer 4

Coleman argues compulsive sex behavior is driven by anxiety reduction and not desire, comparing it to OCD

Toates claims this is not realstic:
- Those w OCD fear their thoughts and do anything not to put it into action, while SA do the oppositve
- SA show low levels of fear and avoidance, OCD high

So; repetitive thoughts might be similar, but consequential behaviour is extremely different. OCD is not the explanation

Question 5

High drive

Answer 5

Freuds pressure-cooker analogy. Doens’t explain why SA don’t show unfocussed push to sexual outlet. It’s not the wanting, it’s thrill seeking and risk taking to achieve a high. No increased sex drve

Question 6

Impulsive control disorder

Answer 6

Claims two types of impulsivity: domain general and specific. It was thought that problematic sexuaslity might only be shown in presence of sexual cues, thus impulse control disorder. However, SA show lengthy and conscious planning phase, clearly indicating box C. ‘lying and deceit requires goal directed behaviour, not impulsivity