Sex therapist Michelle Herzog told mental health publication Verywell Mind that a high level of sexual activity does not automatically indicate that a person has a sex addiction.
Herzog explained that many medical professionals continue to question whether sex addiction exists as a formal diagnostic condition. She said experts generally identify the condition when a person is pursued by obsessive thoughts about sex or performs sexual actions despite repeated attempts to stop them.
According to Herzog, such actions become a clinical concern when they cause serious emotional distress or create severe problems in daily life. She emphasized that frequency alone does not define the issue, as healthy sexual interest varies widely among individuals.
Verywell Mind is a digital health platform that publishes guidance on psychology, relationship dynamics, and mental health. In clinical practice, sex therapists assist individuals and couples in addressing emotional distress surrounding intimacy, compulsion, and sexual well-being. While terms like sex addiction are common in popular culture, major medical organizations often categorize related symptoms under compulsive sexual behavior disorder rather than a physical dependence. Diagnostic frameworks treat compulsive sexual behavior as an impulse control disorder, highlighting that high desire alone is distinct from clinical impairment.
Signs of compulsive sexual behavior
Herzog outlined several specific behavioral indicators that can signal impaired control over sexual activity. Among these symptoms, the specialist named a loss of control over sexual behavior, a constant feeling of guilt or shame after it, and lying to hide actions from partners or family members.
She added that the condition can lead to serious problems at work and within personal relationships. In addition, Herzog noted that symptoms can include sexual behavior that is dangerous to the person themselves or to those around them.
Mental health professionals observe that behavioral compulsions often disrupt daily routines by generating intrusive thoughts and secrecy. Therapists emphasize that addressing underlying emotional triggers, such as anxiety or stress, is a key component of recovery for individuals coping with compulsive behaviors.
Misconceptions about gender and crime
The sex therapist also addressed widespread public misconceptions regarding who experiences compulsive sexual behavior. Herzog rejected the common belief that sex addiction occurs only in men, and she denied that the condition automatically makes a person a criminal.
To demonstrate that women are also affected, Herzog cited a 2018 study showing that approximately seven percent of women have experienced discomfort or impaired control over their sexual behavior and desires.
Historically, psychological research and popular media focused primarily on male hypersexuality, leaving female experiences underreported and less understood. Clinical experts recommend that anyone experiencing persistent distress or loss of control over sexual desires consult a licensed therapist or psychologist for support.
