sexual addiction is when people engage in sexual activities, especially sexual intercourse, even if this has negative consequences for them. some scientists believe it is one of several sex-related disorders within an umbrella concept known as hypersexual disorder. the term "sexual dependence" is also used to refer to people who report being unable to control their sexual urges, behaviors, or thoughts. other related models of pathological sexual behavior include hypersexuality (nymphomania and satyriasis), erotomania, don juanism (or don juanitaism), and paraphilia-related disorders.