Problematic sexual behavior, like many other behaviors, I think becomes problematic when it causes distress, is dysfunctional, is deviant, and or is dangerous. In regards to sexual behavior, the client is the only one that can really know if their behavior is causing distress and dysfunction in their life. They are the ones that are aware if it is causing problems in their relationships or making it so that they are unable to concentrate on work or other daily life activities. While the other two aspects can be evaluated by an outside source, such as having unsafe sex being dangerous to the clients health or having illegal sex being deviant, usually an individual only comes for help with an issue if it is a concern for themselves or a loved one. Dysfunction and deviance are also addressed in the article Is Sex Addiction a Real Disorder? in terms of what …show more content…
While sex addiction does not meet these criteria according to the current research, that doesn’t mean it isn’t an issue that a lot of individuals want help in dealing with. I think in terms of working with an individual in therapy, regardless of what the research says or doesn’t say, the client or the an individual close to the client that is worried about the sexual activities are the only ones that can define it as problematic.
By looking at the research provided in the article New Brain Study Questions Existence of “Sexual Addiction" and the other research that was provided, I don’t think that sex addiction should be labeled an addiction. I am sure that it is extremely distressing for individuals who are hypersexual and feel that they have no control over their impulses,