What Is The Impact Of A Sex Addiction On Relationships?

Relationships are an important part of human life. We build relationships in work, play and fall in love. Over time, we realize relationships are constantly changing and are very fragile.
Relationships can be damaged in a number of ways, including lack of communication, deceit, isolation or misunderstanding. Sex addiction can have a severe impact on relationships due to all of these factors. Sex addicts will gradually isolate themselves from their family and friends. In particular, spouses and significant others are deeply affected. Both the addict and his or her spouse will feel less intimate and will experience a wide range of emotions over the course of the addiction and recovery.

Emotional Impact

Sex addiction is extremely challenging on relationships. Many relationships are broken as a result of the addiction. Addicts favor their "acting out" behaviors over their real life relationships. This is because they need to keep their sexually addictive behaviors secret to avoid getting caught. As a result, addicts will become volatile, stressed, anxious and susceptible to intense mood swings, especially when they cannot engage in their compulsive activities for long periods of time.

Addicts will often become detached from their partners. This often means that they will be disinterested in sex with their spouses as their needs and desires are being met elsewhere, or because of the guilt associated with the addiction. Sometimes though, the addict will push his or her partner for more sex, often forcing the partner into doing something he or she is uncomfortable with.
When a sex addict has engaged in extramarital sexual activities, the spouse will experience intense feelings of anger, betrayal, and distrust. After the addict has come clean the spouse may desire to end the relationship, but most partners typically do stay. Emotionally, sex addiction is very damaging. However, there is hope that relationships can be restored.

Physical Impact

Compulsive sexual behaviors stemming from sex addiction come with many physical risks. Sex addicts who engage in risky sexual behavior outside of committed relationships can contract and spread sexually transmitted diseases. They also put themselves in high-risk situations such as frequenting seedy neighborhoods looking for prostitutes. They are also at risk of injuring themselves or their sexual partners as the need to escalate their behavior increases. In some cases, the severe depression that comes with the addiction can lead addicts to suicidal thoughts. While not all addicts experience all of these physical symptoms, it is important to understand that these are just some of the things addicts face while struggling with addiction and recovery.

In order to recover from sex addiction, addicts and their loved ones must get professional help. Therapy, counseling and support groups are helpful in providing the support, guidance and structure required to make a full and lasting recovery. Couples therapy can help partners regain intimacy and build a trusting relationship. Keep in mind that restoring a healthy relationship will not be easy. In fact, relapses may occur it the addict's recovery which will try the relationship even further. However, over time, if everyone is open and expresses themselves, recovery, and a healthy relationship, is possible.

http://www.OnSexAddiction.com helps individuals struggling with Sex Addiction, Porn Addiction, Compulsive Masturbation, other dangerous sexual behaviors, and the consequences of those addictions, get sober and into recovery so they can lead richer, fuller, more successful and healthy lives. We provide information, resources, articles, videos, CDs, DVDs, seminars, conferences, and membership sites to help individuals better understand what sex addiction is and how to deal with it.

Brain Injuries and Behavioral Problems

Behavioral problems quite often are a result of brain injuries. There can be many problems or few depending upon the severity of the injury and in what part of the brain the injury is located. Some of the potential problems are as follows:

Mood swings, depression, hyperactivity, aggression, sexual inappropriateness and/or promiscuity, lack of initiative or motivation, changes in emotional control, lack of impulse control, poor concentration, lack of empathy, fatigue, thoughtless or hurtful remarks, difficulty in relating to others, excessive demands, personality changes, a tendency towards being frustrated, irritated or angering easily. Unawareness of others' feelings is often another deficit and may be something that has to be relearned. Another serious and very common problem is short-term memory difficulties, as is a lack of awareness of their deficits.

If a brain injury survivor is affected with any of these behavioral problems, it is very stressful for family members and caregivers. It may be important to have cognitive and behavioral rehabilitation and possibly the help of a neuropsychologist. It will also be important to have an assessment done which will help both the survivor and the family member. And because behavioral problems not only affects relationships but performance in school and work, it will be necessary to attempt to alleviate the problems or at the least, to help cope with their impact. The following are some of the things that can be done in order to help minimize problems associated with behavioral changes following a brain injury:

- to be calm and speak in a soothing manner when the brain injured survivor is angry or frustrated;

- help them attempt to problem-solve their difficulties;

- use anger management strategies and remain low-key;

- avoid confrontation if they are angry;

- attempt to distract;

- attempt to identify any triggers so as to avoid future difficult situations;

- encourage the survivor to join a support group;

- be non-judgmental;

- help a sufferer of a brain injury to have positive experiences by offering encouragement and support;

- avoid arguments and criticism;

- help them to have a schedule and structure in their lives;

- don't give too much information at one time;

- establish consistency and always remain calm;

- and, if depression is suspected, have survivor see the doctor and if necessary, ensure that he/she gets treatment.

A total reversal of behavioral problems following a brain injury may not be possible. Modifying behavior may be a more realistic goal while working towards improved quality of life and successful community integration.

Developing adaptive behavior requires recognizing triggers and anticipating factors preceding the behavior. These may be internal such as fatigue or hunger. External factors may be a frustrating task or increased levels of stimulation. Prior signs to difficult behavior may be pacing, becoming fidgety, muttering to themselves or their face may become flushed. Early intervention when a problem arises may assist them, over time, in changing their behaviors.

Sylvia Behnish has published 'Rollercoaster Ride With Brain Injury (For Loved Ones)', a non-fiction book detailing the difficult year following a brain injury; 'His Sins', a three generation family saga about how the actions of one person can affect future generations, and 'Life's Challenges, A Short Story Collection'.

She has also written numerous articles for newspapers, magazines and online on subjects relating to brain injuries, family issues and motivational topics.