性瘾

BBC文章

What is sex addiction?

什么是性瘾？

It's estimated that six per cent or more of the population experience sex addiction and one in five are women.

据估计，100个人中至少有6个人患有性瘾，其中每5个性瘾患者中有一个为女性。

Maybe if you look at the sheer physical damage that addictions such as heroin or cocaine can wreak on the body then sex addiction may indeed seem like a different sort of problem. But sex addiction certainly meets some of the criteria for an addiction. Like other addictions, the person is driven by a compulsion to seek out and engage in the behaviour that brings them the benefits or a sort of intoxication that they seek, even though it may cause enormous disruption and even harm to their life. 

也许，那些给身体带来直接伤害传统意思上的病瘾，如海洛因、可卡因，会让身体衰弱。实际上，性瘾看起来也算得上是另外一种不同类型的病瘾，同样符合其某些标准。和其它的病瘾一样，病人受到在迫使行为的欲望驱动下，寻找机会并投入其中，从中获得他们所需要的满足感或者陶醉感。

If you've a sex addiction you may find you need a markedly increased amount of sex to feel sexually fulfilled. And you may have such a persistent desire that you'll spend abnormal amounts of time involved in activities necessary to fulfil cravings, or recover from its effects. 

如果你有性瘾，你会发现，你需要不停增加性交次数才能满足你对性的渴望。而且你可能会持续地欲望如此频繁做爱。在这方面你就花掉大量的时间，沉溺中那些没完没了的性交活动中。另外，从性瘾带来的影响中恢复也是很花功夫的活。

As a result this addiction may interfere with work, hobbies and relationships with family and friends. You may struggle to cut down or control your behaviour, and continue despite being well aware of the psychological or even physical damage that it's doing.

如此一来，这种病瘾可能影响到你的工作、爱好以及你与家庭甚至朋友之间的正常关系。你可能拼命尝试着戒掉或者控制性冲动行为。但是，虽然深知如此下去会影响到自己的心理健康甚至给身体带来伤害，你还是会一犯再犯，陷入周而复始的漩涡。

Sex addiction symptoms 

性瘾特征

Of course most people enjoy sex, get a buzz from it and welcome the chance to engage in it. So when does sex become addiction?

无可否认，大多数人都享受性的快感，陶醉其中，并且总是伺机而动。那么，怎么样性交才算上瘾呢？

One clue comes from a definition often used by experts, who suggest that sexual addiction is any sexual behaviour that feels out of control. Another important feature is that, like other addictions, those affected find their emotions swing between intense highs and lows. 

专家经常如此定义：性瘾，就是无法控制自己的性冲动行为。从中我们可以获得一条线索。而另外一个线索是，和其它病瘾一样，患有性瘾的人发现自己的情绪总是处于激烈的波动状态。

Following the gratification and sought–after high that the sexual behaviour brings, emotional lows follow. Typically you may feel: 

一番云雨后，双方感到片刻的性满足感和难以言状的兴奋。但是，紧接着就是情绪低落。一般来说你会有下面这些感觉：

Shame

●         羞愧感

Regret

●         悔恨感

Remorse

●         罪恶感

Anxiety about your behaviour

●         对自己的行为感到忧虑

Trapped by your helpless need

●         为无助的需求感到困扰

The only way to relieve these feelings may be another sexual encounter, so you go in search of more sex.

要想摆脱这些糟糕的感觉，唯一的解决办法也许就是遭遇另外一个性伴侣，所以你就会去寻找更多的性交机会。

Warning symptoms of a sex addiction might include:

以下行为预示着你可能患有性瘾：

Certain types of behaviour such as frequent casual sex, multiple affairs when you're in a relationship or high-risk sex

●         某种特定行为特征，如，频繁随意的性行为、与性伴侣的关系过于复杂，或者进行高危险性交

Excessive use of pornography

●         过度使用情色工具

Feeling worried about the possible behavior

●         对某种可能的行为感到焦虑

Wanting to stop or change your sexual behaviour

●         想要停止或者改变你的性行为

Feeling unable to stop, despite wanting to

●         想要停止，但是无法做到

Using sex as a way to cope with other problems

●         用性交作为处理其他问题的方式

Needing more sex to get the same fulfillment 

●         需要更多的性交获得同样的满足感

Feeling very low or guilty after

●         事后情绪异常低落或者强烈罪恶感

Spending large amounts of time planning or engaging in sex

●         花费大量时间计划或者进行性交

Missing important social events or even work in order to pursue sex 

●         为了性交而错过一些重要的社交活动甚至丢掉自己的工作

The debris of a sex addiction includes consequences such as breakdown of meaningful relationships, loss of job opportunities, sexually transmitted infections, and unwanted pregnancy. Depression is common among sex addicts (it may even be a factor which leads to the addiction or aggravates the problem) and as many as one in five may have contemplated suicide. 

性瘾带来的其他危害包括，某些实实在在的后果，比如，破坏了一些有意义的关系、丢掉工作机会、感染性传播疾病，以及意外怀孕。所有的性瘾患者都会有一种沮丧感（它甚至可能是导致性瘾或者是将问题严重化的成因）。另外，5个人中就有一个甚至想到自杀，一了百了。

Advice and support

建议和援助

It may be very difficult to admit to a sex addiction and seek help. Many of those addicted feel intense shame about their behaviour and are reluctant to talk about it. But few are able to change their behaviour without some professional help to explore why it has developed and how the behaviour can be changed. 

也许，承认自己患有性瘾并不是一件容易的事，更别谈寻求帮助了。那些患者中许多人为他们的行为感到羞耻，不愿提及。但是，极少有人在不需要专业人士协助的情况下能够改变他们的性瘾行为。极少有人愿意探究性瘾是如何得到的，以及要如何作为才能改变它。

So recognising that you have a problem is the first step. Then talk to your GP or local counseling service. There are also some support groups especially for sex addicts. 

因此，首先得认识到自己患有性瘾这样的问题。然后和全科医生或者当地咨询服务中心谈及此毛病。有一些专门为性瘾开设的援助团体。

Whether sex addiction is a true addiction or a form of compulsive behaviour, the main approach to treatment is the same, and consists of psychological therapies, especially cognitive behavioural therapy, which involves learning about and understanding your condition, and how to make changes to your behaviour.

是否将性瘾划为真正的病瘾或者某种迫使行形式？针对性瘾和其他病瘾进行治疗的主要方式大同小异，并且需要结合精神层面，特别是认知行为的治疗。认知行为涉及到，学习并且理解属于你的具体情况，然后，采取怎样的措施改变自己的行为。