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Hypoxyphilia - Hypoxyphilia Symptom, Cause, Treatment
People with hypoxyphilia experience sexual arousal by being deprived of oxygen. Hypoxyphilia , also known as sexual asphyxia, auto-erotic asyphxia (AEA) and asphyxiophilia, is a paraphilias of a masochist nature. Hypoxyphilia also known as: asphyxiophilia or asphyxiaphilia , a paraphilic condition in which sexuoerotic arousal and orgasm are dependent on or facilitated by the lack of oxygen produced by self-strangulation or from being strangulated or asphyxiated by a sexual partner , up to, but not including, the loss of consciousness. Erotic asphyxiation, asphyxiophilia, breath control play, or scarfing, is the practice of intentionally reducing the amount of oxygen to the brain during sexual stimulation in order to heighten the received pleasure from orgasm. A sexual partner may or may not be involved, however, if one is excluded the practice can be referred to as autoerotic asphyxiation, or AEA. Various methods are used to achieve the level of oxygen depletion needed such as a plastc bag over the head or self-strangulation, typically by the use of a ligature (scarfing).
Symptoms Hypoxyphilia
Death due to hypoxyphilia is a relatively rare phenomenon. People with hypoxyphilia experience sexual arousal by being deprived of oxygen. The idea for this most likely came from subjects who were executed by hanging. Observers at public hangings noted male victims developed an erection, sometimes remaining after death (death erection), and occasionally ejaculated when being hanged. There is no relationship between hypoxyphilia and mental or personality disorder. Hypoxyphilia does seem to be associated with mood disorders. The increased pleasure results from the body producing more endorphins as it approaches the state of asphyxia. Pleasurable or not, it is an extremely dangerous practice that results in many accidental deaths each year
Causes of Hypoxyphilia
Hypoxyphilia can be caused by -
- Chest compression,
- Noose,
- Plastic bag,
- Mask, or
- Other means and can be administered by another person or be self-inflicted
Treatment of Hypoxyphilia
Treatment options may include psychotherapy, individual psychotherapy, group therapy, marital therapy, and family therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy may be used with a 7-step approach, as follows:
- Aversive conditioning with ammonia or (masturbatory) satiation
- Confrontation of cognitive distortions (especially effective in groups)
- Victim empathy (show videos of victims and consequences to victims)
- Assertiveness training (social skills training, time management, structure)
- Relapse prevention (identifying antecedents to the behavior [high-risk situations] and how to disrupt antecedents)
- Surveillance systems (family associates who help monitor patient behavior)
- Lifelong maintenance
Pharmacotherapy may also be used.
- Antiandrogens (to lower sex drive)
- Medroxyprogesterone acetate (Provera) - 10 mg bid, double dose every 3 days up to 200 mg/d; maintain for 1 mo and adjust prn
- Leuprolide acetate
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