What is arousal addiction?
The term “arousal addiction” describes a pattern of behavior characterized by compulsive engagement in sexually stimulating activities. This can include anything from consuming large amounts of pornography to compulsive masturbation or engaging in risky sexual encounters, despite the negative consequences it brings to your life.
Whether this behavior is a true addiction is a matter of debate among mental health professionals. While it’s not specifically listed as a diagnosis in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, Text Revision” (DSM-5-TR), it may be diagnosed as a symptom of other conditions, such as impulse control disorder or behavioral addiction.
On the other hand, the “International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision” (ICD-11) recognizes compulsive sexual behavior disorder as a type of impulse control disorder.
In this article, we’ll discuss how arousal addiction is diagnosed and treated, along with some coping strategies and tips on preparing to seek professional help.