The legitimacy of the diagnosis 'sex addict'

Berends, Ilse (2022) The legitimacy of the diagnosis 'sex addict'. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.

Preview	Text bBIO_2022_BerendsIS.pdf Download (784kB) | Preview
	Text toestemming.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (364kB)

Abstract

Although approximately three to five percent of the adult population struggles with some form of sexual addiction and seek help for it, sex addiction is not recognized as a disorder by the DSM-5TR. This report aims to answer the question whether sex addiction is a legit disorder and, consequently, whether it should be included in the DSM or not. The current literature shows that drugs and sex have similar reinforcing properties, mediated by dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. Furthermore, a form of tolerance, characterized by a decreased response to drugs, can be seen in frequent pornography users as decreased striatal volume and striatal activity to sexual cues. While sensitization to drugs and craving for drugs are typically seen in drug addicts, sensitization to sex and craving for sex is also seen in ‘sex addicts’, characterized by higher ‘wanting’ and increased reactivity of certain brain regions after the presentation of sexual cues. Although there are many similarities between drug addiction and sex addiction, the number of studies investigating sex addiction is scarce, especially studies investigating the neurocircuitries underlying sex addiction. Furthermore, very little research has focused on withdrawal in sex addicts. Thus, more research is needed to provide a solid conclusion on whether sex can become an addiction or not.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Olivier, J.D.A.
Degree programme:	Biology
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Thesis
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	17 Aug 2022 12:21
Last Modified:	17 Aug 2022 12:21
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/28417

Actions (login required)

View Item