What is Hypoxyphilia?
Hypoxyphilia is the state of strangulation to restrict oxygen flow to the brain during sex for the purpose of enhancing orgasmic pleasure. Hypoxyphilia uses choking, toxic gasses, electric shock and drugs in sexual encounters to achieve a ‘high’. This act is considered a form of sexual masochism, or the enjoyment of one’s own pain or humiliation. It’s also refered to as auto-erotic asphyxia or asphyxophilia.
According to the manual on mental health disorders (DSM-IV), hypoxyphilia is diagnosied when intense and recurring fantasies or sexual urges over a six-month period causes clinical stress or impairment (job loss, social isolation, medical isseus, etc.).
How Does Hypoxyphilia Work?
Because oxygen is restricted, carbon dioxide builds up in the body. That’s what gives the feelsings of pleasure and heightened sexual sensation. Auto-erotic asphyxia can be done alone of with others typically using a chain, belt, rope, plastic bag or water submersion.
High-Risk Factors
Hypoxyphilia is a dangerous act that can result in death or loss of consciousness. In fact, a study in the Journal of Forensic Sciences estimated hypoxyphilia causes 250-100 deaths in the U.S. per year.
Other dangerous symptoms include:
- hemorrhages
- ruptured aneurysms
- paralysis
- coma
- seizures
Hypoxyphilia Treatment in South Florida
If find yourself unable to stop these behaviors, it’s a sign of addiction. Treatment for sexual addiction encompasses some different strategies:
- Centralized care provided in a single rehabilitation facility
- A collaborative treatment team that includes psychologists, addiction counselors, and mental health specialists
- Individual psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy that focuses on managing emotions and minimizing the risk of relapse
- Support groups from others who are battling addiction and mood disorders
Visit our admissions processing page to get started towards recovering from this addiction today.
