Spring Break
Oblivion is all you crave
Tyler Vogler
Issue date: 9/15/08 Section: Opinion
When news broke last week of David Duchovny's voluntary entry into rehab for "sex addiction," I thought it was another star's attempt to grab headlines in the pop culture obsessed media.
Then I read an article on CNN.com detailing the phenomenon.
"We're seeing (sex addiction) with epidemic proportions now," psychologist Mark Schwartz said in the article.
"Epidemic proportions?" That's a pretty weighty term to apply to something that affects, at most, an estimated 6 percent of Americans. For addicts, sex becomes a way to numb painful feelings, to kill time or to help themselves feel less lonely. It's been compared to other addictions like gambling or alcoholism.
I'm not here to make light of anyone's disorders. Even though there are plenty of worse things to be addicted to, I'm sure there are people out there who are seriously affected by their sex addiction. I'm sure that sex addiction has left some friendships, romantic relationships and bed sheets ruined in its wake. Keyword: Some.
These days, I find people are too willing to categorize any kind of irregular behavior as a "disorder." Chalk it up as another example of living in a hypochondriac society.
Are you feeling slightly melancholy during the colder winter months? You've probably got Seasonal Affective Disorder (aptly abbreviated to SAD). Your kid can't sit down for more than five minutes? He must have ADHD - get the methylphenidate, stat!
Gone are the days of being a little down because the weather's changing, or children having an over-abundance of energy.
People seem too willing to categorize these irregular behaviors as "disorders" or "addictions." And when you have a disorder, the wonders of modern science and technology are always there to help you with the newest wonder drug and treatment plan. Next, all you need is a little media exposure with a couple of experts pushing the idea and you've got a perfect recipe for an American society plagued with mental disorders.
Like I said, it's proven that there are people who have difficulties using sex to numb feelings of pain, but where do you draw the line? Should I go to rehab for my wallet-draining "Starbucks addiction?" Does the American youth need a wonder drug to deal with the growing problem of text messaging addiction?
OK, maybe that example is a little outrageous … or maybe I've coined the next big disorder to plague America?
Then I read an article on CNN.com detailing the phenomenon.
"We're seeing (sex addiction) with epidemic proportions now," psychologist Mark Schwartz said in the article.
"Epidemic proportions?" That's a pretty weighty term to apply to something that affects, at most, an estimated 6 percent of Americans. For addicts, sex becomes a way to numb painful feelings, to kill time or to help themselves feel less lonely. It's been compared to other addictions like gambling or alcoholism.
I'm not here to make light of anyone's disorders. Even though there are plenty of worse things to be addicted to, I'm sure there are people out there who are seriously affected by their sex addiction. I'm sure that sex addiction has left some friendships, romantic relationships and bed sheets ruined in its wake. Keyword: Some.
These days, I find people are too willing to categorize any kind of irregular behavior as a "disorder." Chalk it up as another example of living in a hypochondriac society.
Are you feeling slightly melancholy during the colder winter months? You've probably got Seasonal Affective Disorder (aptly abbreviated to SAD). Your kid can't sit down for more than five minutes? He must have ADHD - get the methylphenidate, stat!
Gone are the days of being a little down because the weather's changing, or children having an over-abundance of energy.
People seem too willing to categorize these irregular behaviors as "disorders" or "addictions." And when you have a disorder, the wonders of modern science and technology are always there to help you with the newest wonder drug and treatment plan. Next, all you need is a little media exposure with a couple of experts pushing the idea and you've got a perfect recipe for an American society plagued with mental disorders.
Like I said, it's proven that there are people who have difficulties using sex to numb feelings of pain, but where do you draw the line? Should I go to rehab for my wallet-draining "Starbucks addiction?" Does the American youth need a wonder drug to deal with the growing problem of text messaging addiction?
OK, maybe that example is a little outrageous … or maybe I've coined the next big disorder to plague America?
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Jason McClain
posted 9/16/08 @ 2:50 PM CST
Working in the field of addiction therapy, I completely agree with your comment.
The evolution of the term 'sex addict' does trouble me. Of all the modern, glibly-phrased diagnoses that you mention, 'sex addiction' tugs at our common insecurities and neuroses over sex. (Continued…)
Barry D
posted 9/19/08 @ 12:07 AM CST
Good stuff Tyler. Wish the headline was a little more insightful, but the column was right on. And about the next addiction craze, doctors have already declared several cases of "text addiction" it just needs the right dose of media publicity (as you said) before it really takes off. (Continued…)
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