The DSM-5 is the resource used by healthcare professionals to diagnose mental health disorders, including addictions.
Therefore, there is no way to diagnose someone with a masturbation addiction clinically.
if they masturbate excessively.
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This means that it may soon be recognized as amental health disorder.
Is Masturbation Addiction Similar to Alcohol or Drug Addiction?
Unlike alcoholism, current clinical guidelines do not classify masturbation as an addiction.
A crucial difference is that alcohol is a substance addiction, and masturbation is a behavioral addiction.
A person with alcoholism is affected by alcohol when not using it directly (i.e.
they can have withdrawal symptoms because their body has become dependent on alcohol).
However, excessive masturbation can negatively impact someone’s life.
Once they have helped you understand how to control these urges, you could seek more support and resources.
That said, there are resources available for compulsive disorders and behavioral addictions.
You could also reach out to friends or loved ones.
Talking openly about the compulsion is the first step to managing it.
Medication
Research surrounding the use of medication for masturbation is scarce.
Typically, medication isnt used because excessive masturbation does not qualify as a typical addiction.
That said, one case study examined the use of Lexapro or Cipralex (escitalopram) for compulsive masturbation.
Support Groups and Group Therapy
Support groups andgroup therapycan be effective treatments for masturbation addiction.
In group therapy, people share their experiences with others.
This may help lessenthe shame some people may feel regarding their compulsion.
Causes, Risk Factors, and Triggers
No clear cause has been established regarding masturbation addiction.
People with a masturbation addiction who experience high levels of stress are more likely to cope by masturbating.
American Addiction Centers.Sex addiction treatment.
National Health Service.Overview - cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
American Psychological Association.Psychotherapy: Understanding group therapy.
