Recognizing Problematic Sexual Behaviors

Without an APA classification and list of symptoms necessary for a diagnosis, sexual addiction remains difficult to identify; but in general, the more problematic or compulsive the sexual behaviors or thoughts, the more likely the diagnosis.

Here is a list of "warning" behaviors; behaviors commonly associated with sexual addiction. Identifying with many of the following behaviors likely indicates the presence of a sexual condition and the need for a more formal diagnosis from a trained therapist.

Some Behaviors/Feelings Commonly Exhibited by Sex Addicts Include:

• Engaging in internet sexual activity at the expense of real world commitments
• Regularly buying pornography
• Buying sex or sexual services
• Paying for pornography over the internet
• Engaging in online sexual relationships
• Making an attempt to change or cut down on a certain type of sexual activity and failing to carry through
• Spending a lot more time engaging in sexual behaviors than you had planned on
• Engaging in increasingly extreme sexual behaviors
• Feeling preoccupied with sex. Thinking about it in advance and remembering it afterwards
• Engaging in sexual fantasies online that are very taboo or illegal in the real world
• Feeling irritable when unable to spend time online engaged in sexual activity
• Engaging in sadomasochism
• Engaging in sexual activity with minors
• Feeling depressed after sexual activity
• Engaging in sexual behaviors that if "found out" would cause you or your family significant troubles/problems/embarrassment
• Continuing to engage in problematic sexual behaviors even after suffering real world consequences from them