The Link Between Childhood Trauma and Sex and Love Addiction
It is widely established in the field of psychology that there is a link between a troubled childhood-or unhealthy parent-child bonds-and a pattern of sex and love addiction later in life. A sex addict may be someone who compulsively masturbates; watches pornography; pays for sex or to watch sex (as in the case of peep shows or strip clubs); practices exhibitionism and/or voyeurism; acts out with others outside the confines of committed, monogamous relationship; engages in frequent anonymous sex; or engages in any sexually compulsive behavior to the extent that it causes him or her distress or feelings of shame. Love, lust, or relationship addicts are those who either compulsively cling to relationship to the extent that they feel empty or worthless when not engaged in relationship or romantic acting-out behaviors, who are “emotionally-anorexic” (i.e., unable to attach or feel unworthy of attaching), or who are love-averse (i.e., may repeatedly seek relationship, but tend to withdraw quickly; are unable to fully commit, fear being consumed by love).