Dear Readers,
While researching asexuality, I also came across the term hypersexuality and wondered how these two seemingly opposite experiences relate. I was surprised to learn that hypersexuality and asexuality can coexist. Through research, I’ve come to understand how this coexistence is possible.
What is hypersexuality?
By definition, hypersexuality (also known as compulsive sexual disorder) :
” Hypersexuality describes a person’s inability to control their sexual behavior, arousal, impulses, or urges to the point of causing distress in their personal, work, or school life.”
(Definition from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/hypersexuality)
As the definition indicates, a person experiencing hypersexuality struggles to regulate their sexual behavior or impulses.
Hypersexuality may result from trauma, be a side effect of medication, stem from chemical imbalances in the brain, or occur alongside conditions such as ADHD, bipolar disorder, or anxiety disorders. (Please note, not everyone with these conditions experiences hypersexuality.)
This overlap can cause confusion, leading some to think that someone experiencing hypersexuality cannot also be asexual. In reality, both can exist together, despite initial assumptions.
Hypersexuality often involves feelings of guilt, shame, remorse, helplessness regarding compulsive behavior, depression, and loneliness. So it´s not easy for the affected person.
How can hypersexuality and asexuality coexist?
Depending on where you fall on the asexual spectrum, physical intimacy may be comfortable even without sexual attraction. Therefore, hypersexuality and asexuality are not mutually exclusive, both can validly coexist. The reasons for physical intimacy can involve emotional, physical, romantic, or aesthetic attraction, rather than sexual attraction.
Have any of you experienced hypersexuality?
Best,
Ace
(Sources: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/hypersexuality, https://www.verywellmind.com/hypersexuality-definition-symptoms-treatment-5199535,
https://lgbtqiacounseling.com/asexual/hypersexual-and-asexual/, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/compulsive-sexual-behavior/symptoms-causes/syc-20360434#:~:text=Overview,other%20parts%20of%20your%20life., https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22690-sex-addiction-hypersexuality-and-compulsive-sexual-behavior