Can too much sex really be that bad?

    The word hypersexuality will be newly defined when the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual updates its terminology this coming May. This 'sex addiction,' to be known as hypersexual disorder, has proved itself evident in certain people's lives.

    Research shows that some of the patients tested used sex as a means to cope with depression and anxiety or other unhealthy emotional states and occurrences. However, as these people continually use sex as an escape, their problems and mood swings only get progressively worse over time, ruining their relationships with other people and most importantly, their relationships with themselves. It also ruins their ability to achieve healthy sex.

    It is interesting that in the study, the 150 patients who had gone in for a diagnosis were primarily white males. It seems that the hypersexuality took place mostly with themselves, turning to masturbation and pornography.

    Lindsay Abrams asked the question in her article, "Do claims to "hypersexuality" really make one disordered, and deserve a place in the same book that defines debilitating afflictions like depression or schizophrenia?"

    My answer: yes. Hypersexual Disorder (known as HD) does exist. I have a friend who once sought self-satisfaction three or more times a day after going through a bad breakup. It negatively affected him physically, emotionally and socially. When it came time for him to actually perform, he couldn't. He was terrified that he had erectile dysfunction and thought to himself, "No, I'm way too young to have that." He was relieved when his doctor told him it was all in his head, but does that really make it any better?

    It is a mental problem that can easily escalate into something more and can even lead to other disorders or dysfunctions, including schizophrenia. If HD is not a manifestation of one's depression, it can certainly lead to it due to the negative effects.

    I just do not understand why these psychiatrists are saying that only people over the age of 18 can be diagnosed with this. Many adolescents start exploring their sexuality at a much younger age, and although I could not fathom anyone younger experiencing or falling victim to this extreme condition, I do not think age should be part of the criteria for diagnosis. That's like saying young children cannot be depressed or schizophrenic, when they can.

    I like that Abrams wrote about this because it sheds a light on something people normally wouldn't think of. Sex has such a positive image in our society, but too much of a good thing can really be a bad thing. Who knew that sex, a personal tension-releasing natural act, can be so traumatizing to some people? Sex can be as addicting as alcohol, cigarettes or any other drug.

    Mostly, it's sad to see that it can be completely unnoticed unless the person going through this shares the information with someone else, which is unlikely. It's embarrassing to talk about, and many people just wouldn't understand.

    I just hope that the people who seek self-satisfaction too often don't think that because of this diagnosis, that they are a mental case or an emotional mess. Abrams explains that porn, masturbation, fetishes and sex in general moderation are healthy. Just be wary of the line that can be crossed.

    Abrams did a good job in explaining HD, but I have one unanswered question. How does being diagnosed with this disorder actually help the patient? How will they be treated? I think that is almost more important than the actual study of the soon-to-be-offical dysfunction. I am interested in learning how people who have this will be able to put it behind them.