Am I a Sex Addict? Understanding the Signs and Misconceptions [Video]

In this video, psychotherapist Mishiko Flores explores the complex and often misunderstood topic of sex addiction. She helps us answer the question, “Am I a sex addict?” While “sex addiction” is not an official diagnosis in the DSM-5, it is recognized internationally under the World Health Organization as Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder. Changing social norms, accessibility of pornography, and evolving attitudes toward sexuality make it difficult to define what is “normal.” Instead of focusing on sex itself, we should frame sex addiction through the lens of addiction. Reward systems in the brain affect a person’s ability to control urges rather than the specific behavior.

Clinicians assess potential sex addiction by looking for patterns. Loss of control, compulsivity, preoccupation, time loss, negative consequences, and withdrawal are symptoms of sex addiction. Having a high sex drive, watching porn, or even infidelity, does not necessarily mean you have a sex addiction. Other diagnoses, like bipolar disorder, PTSD, or adjustment disorders, may sometimes better explain hypersexual behavior.

For those seeking help, individual or group therapy, 12-step programs, and couples therapy can be effective supports for those struggling with sex addiction.