Is there a link between anxiety and Sex Addiction?
Could this two things be connected in any way? I heard that pornography reduces levels of stress and anxiety in the short term.
-
My personal opinion is this:
When experiencing anxiety, we try to find a way to release
it/reduce it (duh!) and, for example, many people suffering from social anxiety turns to alcohol, etc. And sex, providing the good feelings it provides, can also be used as an escape/release method, just as is drug or alcohol. -
I with Damien on this. Sex, inasmuch as it stimulates the release of serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and (to a certain extent) endorphin, can be an effective method of reducing symptoms associated with anxiety. As with other behavioural strategies, however, it is short-acting and there is a diminishing return.
Over-reliance on any particular strategy can lead to compulsive behaviour and, as it becomes a crutch, an ultimate increase in anxiety symptoms (thus, Sex Addiction).
