- What is Nymphomania?
- Is hypersexuality an addiction?
- Compulsive sexual conduct
- Symptoms of Nymphomania
- Treatment for this disorder
Enjoying sexual life is one of the greatest pleasures that human beings have, not only as a source of satisfaction but as a powerful intimate connection with another person.
Sex can give way to many scenarios, such as reconciliations or new loves, it is essential for the life of a couple because there is a special bond that you do not have with someone else and also, it brings us multiple benefits for our own he alth.
Pleasurable sexual relations help strengthen the immune system, shape the body figure and even give shine and purity to the skin.It fills us with energy and complements us as an attractive or sensual being when we get to know and explore our intimacy. As you can see, sex has no points against it, but can you imagine something so sensational becoming a daily problem?
Compulsive sexual behaviors and are part of mental he alth disorders. One of the best known is Nymphomania, have you heard about it before? If not, then keep reading so you can learn all about nymphomania and how to spot it.
What is Nymphomania?
It is necessary to clarify in the first place that the term "Nymphomania" is no longer in use for diagnosis according to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in Spanish). In its place the term 'Hypersexuality' or also 'Sex addiction' was coined. It was used in the same way as a replacement for "Satiriasis" (Male Sex Disorder).
Now yes, we will define what was formerly called Nymphomania. It is a subcategory of impulse control disorders, in which people feel an unbridled and exaggerated desire to satisfy their sexual needs on an ongoing basis. This condition can be triggered both by sexual desire and by the need to satisfy an emotional demand.
Prior to the DSM-5, the expression nymphomania was only used to refer to female hypersexuality, since in the studies carried out, as well as the cases diagnosed, the majority of the population were women.
Is hypersexuality an addiction?
We then find Hypersexuality in the DSM-5 as a synonym for Sex Addiction, due to its characteristics of increased sexual frequency and continuous, as well as the excessive and uncontrollable desire to seek pleasure in sexual activities.But can we classify it as an addiction?
Addictions are generally established as the compulsive search for satisfying stimuli for the person, which provide a sense of relief from previous emotional discomfort. This is caused by a behavioral disorder or neural alteration.
However, in a study carried out at the University of Cambridge in 2014, hypersexuality was more closely classified as an obsessive-compulsive disorder, because there is not enough evidence to call it an addiction . Instead, there are conditions, customs, or predispositions that lead to the sexual disorder.
Compulsive sexual conduct
This is another term with which we can find Hypersexuality within the DSM-5 since it does not have its own classification. It must be clarified in this section that not all sexual behaviors are inappropriate and very meticulous care must be taken when diagnosing as some specific symptoms that have nothing to do with a behavioral or neurological disorder can be confused or globalized.
Nymphomania has various origins, which can be biological, as there is an alteration or overexcitation of dopaminergic brain activity. What leads people to seek sensations that release dopamine, becoming dependent on this, and do you know what the ideal activity is for it? That's right, sex.
It can also be derived as an extra symptomatology of another mental disorder, such as Borderline Disorder, autism or Bipolarity. By the consumption of substances and drugs opposed to dopamine. Or due to brain lesions in the frontal-temporal regions that control sexual impulses.
Symptoms of Nymphomania
The best way to detect Nymphomania is by knowing its clinical symptoms, so pay attention to the following.
one. Insatiable sexual desire
It is the first indication of the appearance of this sexual compulsion. This refers to the constant and uncontrollable urge to have sex several times a day, at any time and regardless of where the person is. Either with one or several people. They even lead to excessive masturbation to satisfy themselves, which can hurt the vaginal area.
2. High libido levels
The continuous urges to maintain sexual activity are products of the high levels of libido of the woman. Libido is defined as a person's sexual desire, it is believed to be a primitive behavior of satisfaction and reproduction. For psychoanalysis it represents the basis of the drive of life, that is, what gives us pleasure.
However, when there are too high levels of libido, this becomes a disorder that affects the person and their sexual partners since they are unable to achieve sexual satisfaction through orgasm and always will go in search of more.
3. Inordinate pornography
People who suffer from hypersexuality tend to watch porn in disproportionate amounts, not only at home, but also at work, in classes or anywhere regardless of whether it is public or private. Since they see it as a way to experience new things at any time, at least in their mind.
4. Compulsion
The desperate search to satisfy their sexual appetite leads women suffering from nymphomania to have sexual relations almost anywhere, circumstance and time. What can incur in risky behaviors and dangers to their physical and emotional integrity. This is because in such situations they tend not to reason, they just compulsively follow their desires.
It is for the same reason that hypersexuality is closely linked to the symptoms of borderline personality disorder and the manic episodes of bipolar disorder.
4. Triggering of paraphilias
It should be noted that these sexual compulsions are completely out of the control of the person who suffers from it, it is almost as if she were the prey and puppet of her sexual desire and did everything he told her requests. Therefore, it is very easy for hypersexuality to give way to sexual paraphilias and maladaptive behaviors, such as harassment and infidelity. Well, it's a new experience that can give you the pleasure you crave.
5. Free choice
Nymphomaniac women do not distinguish whether they have sexual relations with a man or a woman, for them that does not have the slightest importance, since what they seek is to please their libido. What's more, nymphomaniac women seek precisely to experiment with different people because they feel that just one does not satisfy them enough.
6. Difficulty for satisfaction
This difficulty for satisfaction is not only because they sleep with only one person, but because they are incapable of achieving an orgasm during sexual intercourse.Which fills them with frustration and instead of a decrease in libido, it's just motivation to go in search of more. However, this becomes a vicious circle with the same unsatisfactory ending.
7. Aggravation of negative symptoms
Women with nymphomania not only suffer from their own sexual dissatisfaction, but also have recurring negative feelings. Like loneliness, sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, constant stress and even insecurity and depression. Well, they also seek affection through sex, but since they have no control over the latter, it is impossible to get the former.
8. Interpersonal emotional problems
The problem of getting affection is due to the fact that they are not good at creating meaningful or long-term interpersonal bonds, be it friends, work colleagues or resenting family relationships, since they only seek to maintain sexual relations.This prevents us from maintaining a deeper contact with anyone.
9. Problems in your routine
Another factor is that this compulsion for sex affects other spheres of your life, such as academics, work, family or interpersonal. In addition to having difficulty creating and maintaining any type of bond with people, they find it difficult to concentrate, develop and act in common activities, they have low performance and tend to be careless with their responsibilities.
10. Inability to quit
As we already mentioned, people who suffer from hypersexuality have no control over their sexual desires and behaviors. For this reason, it is also difficult for them to give up these, no matter how much it affects the other areas of development of their life or how dangerous it is for their integrity.
Although many nymphomaniac women try to control their impulses, without proper guidance and treatment they relapse easily.
Treatment for this disorder
Compulsive sexual behaviors can be treated and controlled, it is a long and challenging process, but it is the best way to cope.
one. Psychological treatment
The main treatment against compulsive sexual behaviors is psychological intervention, to discover the origin of the disturbance, address the compulsion, control sexual impulses and finally achieve social adaptation.
The most recommended therapy for these cases is cognitive behavioral therapy, since it can provide the necessary tools to change the person's belief system, which affects their behaviors, thoughts, and emotions through from other socially acceptable activities to achieve personal gratification.
2. Psychiatric assistance
This treatment is mainly indicated for people who present hypersexuality as part of the symptoms of other disorders. Which needs a more rigid review and follow-up. This is complemented by psychotherapy.
3. Psychiatric drugs
The medication that is recommended for these cases are those that regulate mood, so that they reduce brain dopaminergic activity and there is no constant need to search for satisfying activities. This is indicated almost exclusively when hypersexuality derives from another disorder.
4. Other therapies
There are other therapies such as support groups, couple interventions or mindfulness programs. Which can benefit the person to regain control of their lives, seeing that they are not alone, that they can share their problems and that they can feel more self-confident
To face nymphomania or confront someone who suffers from hypersexuality, it is necessary to have empathy, let them know that they have a problem that affects them notoriously and that they can have a way out to recover their normal life.