Podcast: Sex Addiction: Are They Faking It?

This episode of Science Vs. brings sex addiction into the debate. In the context of the #metoo movement, with Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey having blamed their misdemeanors on sex addiction, reporters wanted to find out whether it is a real psychological problem or just an excuse people make up for avoiding responsibility for wrongdoing. 

A sex therapist, a clinical psychologist, a neuroscientist and a sex addict bring their very different and insightful input to the conversation. Some think that sex addiction is real and that the diagnosis actually helps addicts get a grip on themselves—it offers them comfort. The problem is that there are too few studies to back this stance up. What could actually be happening with people who describe themselves as sex addicts is that they have a lot of shame about their sexuality, their desires, who they want want to have sex with, how often, etc. They could also be suffering from depression and using sex as a way out of it. 

The reporter sums up the discussion like this:

I have two conflicting thoughts. And I can’t make them work … One is science isn't here to make you feel better. Science is supposed to be leaning toward some objective truth, and if that truth isn’t there or the evidence isn’t there that this condition exists, it shouldn’t make you feel better. Science isn't there for that. But on the other hand I'm like, well, addiction is messy, medicine is messy, and if you want to give them a label, go right ahead.