Telltale signs that you’re a sex addict

Sex Addiction, or perhaps the more contemporary term "Compulsive Sexual Behaviour," is a progressive intimacy disorder describing an individual who appears to be increasingly out of control with sex and feeling out of control of their behaviour. Many professionals compare such behaviour to a crack/cocaine chase and see it as more of a problem now than ever before due to all the growing issues with relationships, sexually transmitted infections and the feelings of being out of control. Displaying signs of sex addiction, however, is not indicative that you are a sex addict because there is a level of functioning that goes along with it, but if you think your sexual behaviour is preventing you from functioning effectively in your daily life then you may be in trouble. Here are ten common signs your behaviour may be sexually compulsive.

1. Leading double life

One of the classic examples of addiction is hiding two or more separate selves. Often this comes in the form of keeping a secret sex life. There is a compulsion to cheat on your partner, you frequent strip clubs, and you hide while watching loads of pornography. The idea here is if you are in a relationship and you are hiding behaviour, it's a "red flag."

2. Difficulty in personal relationships

With the above being stated often times there is a marked difficulty in relationships. This is often seen through difficulty connecting, sharing and giving your self as a whole to another person. This is often because there is an internal compulsion that wants to continue to lead that "double life." Often times, sex addicts have very distant relationships and/or very enmeshed relationships (smothering -- often to get unattainable needs met).