10.05.2019 -
Addiction, Articles, Interviews
Sex and love addiction
— a damaging psychological disorder
View our video on sex and love addiction and our treatment at The Kusnacht Practice
About sex and love addiction
Sex and love - a powerful compulsion
A healthy attitude toward sex and intimacy is something that many people regard as a normal part of life. However, for some individuals, sex and love can become a powerful compulsion that is almost impossible to control. The effects of sex and love can change our brain chemistry in a similar way to substances such as addictive drugs. The influence of the Internet has led to the wide availability of sexually explicit images, videos, and websites offering sexual services. These factors are thought to have contributed to a significant increase in sexual disorders. Estimates by The Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health suggest that around 3 to 5 per cent of the population may suffer from sex addiction.
Symptoms and effects of sex and love addiction
Sex and love addiction are likely to develop from a combination of physical, psychological, genetic, biochemical and social factors. Individuals often have issues with self-worth, difficulties coping with painful emotions or a history of childhood sexual abuse. The same types of neurotransmitters are affected whether an individual uses a mood-altering drug, has sex or falls intensely in love. Just as chronic drug abuse leads to dependency, repetitive bouts of sex or serial relationships can result in similar outcomes. Individuals are often overwhelmed by intense shame and deep regret. These negative emotions can, in turn, become triggers for further compulsive sexual activity.
The most common symptoms of sex and love addiction
- constantly craving and searching for a romantic relationship
- mistaking intense sexual experiences and new passionate excitement for love
- using sex, seduction and manipulation to hold on to a partner
- preoccupation with sexual behaviour or preparatory activities
- excessive amounts of time spent on obtaining sex, being sexual, or recovering from sexual experience
- the need to progress the intensity, frequency, number or risk level of behaviours to achieve the desired effect
- distress, anxiety, restlessness, or irritability if unable to engage in the behaviour
Treatment for sex and love addiction
Preoccupation with the sexual act or the idealised, fantasy relationship works as a barrier between the addict and another person. Discreet and professional help for those affected by sex and love addiction is available from qualified experts at The Kusnacht Practice. Our always individually shaped treatment plans for intimacy disorders include a mixture of group therapy, individual counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy, as well as ongoing activities designed to boost self-esteem and rebuild mechanisms to increase resilience. Giving up unhealthy attachments to sex and/or fantasy is a major step toward a genuine, intimate relationship with an available partner.
Costs
We provide the very best care and comfort. Our fees are typically between CHF 80,000 – CHF 120,000 per week, depending on the requirements of the individual client. Fees are settled directly by the client (we do not work with insurance companies) and we can supply written quotations upon request.
The Kusnacht Practice services are not covered by Swiss health insurances. All costs are to be covered directly by the clients. Patients who are domiciled in Switzerland and are therefore mandatorily health insured may be reimbursed by their health insurance for medical services in accordance with the Federal Law on Health Insurance (KVG) and its implementing provisions.
Treatment enquiries
Marina Kharinskaya
Call: +41 43 499 60 50
Email: treatment@kusnachtpractice.ch
Or fill out our form with your request
General enquiries
Call: +41 43 541 11 52
Email: info@kusnachtpractice.ch
