~Anuj Bendale
Have you ever heard someone saying that “He is a real Don Juan” or “Well, I’m not a professional Don Juan!”? Obviously, it is an on point reference to the classic womanizer named Don Juan in the plays of Lord Byron.
This fictional character is someone the current generation would label as a “player”. Don Juan portrays a compulsive sexual behaviour called “hypersexuality”.
So what do you mean by “Don Juan Complex“? How is it related to hypersexuality and finally, what does this infamous figure of the 17th century have anything to do with this psychological annotation that originated from it?
Who was Don Juan?
Don Juan is a notorious character in a Spanish story. Don Juan itself is the title of Lord Byron’s epic works. According to Byron, Don Juan is not a womanizer, but someone who is easily seduced by women.
Don Juan is a lustful man, he is always loved and trapped by women easily. According to the story, he is the dedicated lover of Haidee and Leila.
In the story, he undergoes declension and engages in an affair with his mother’s friend Julie. Later, when their affair gets exposed, Don’s mother sends him to an adventure to get some values and morals and to seek clarity in life. She wanted her son to see that life has so much more to offer.
During his adventure, Don Juan encountered and made relations with myriad women. He is so charming that he doesn’t even have to work to seduce any women. The women around him automatically try their best to make him fall in love with them.
The term“Don Juanism” is coined from this charming man.
But then how is the modern term, hypersexuality, similar to the Don Juan complex? And before that, what does the word complex mean?
What does “Complex” mean?
As a common dictionary would define, complex is something that is difficult to comprehend. In terms of psychology, it is an unconscious behavioural pattern observed in a person.
To get a clear picture, let’s consider the following example:
If a person had experienced a physical trauma in their childhood, that had unfortunately led to the loss of a limb, (here, a hand), he/she suffers because of it their entire life.
This particular incident or experience or memory can affect them in multiple ways. Even when that person accepts the physical disability, they would have thoughts, emotional episodes, and memories of that incident troubling them. Such a person is said to possess a ‘hand’ complex.
Electra Complex, Oedipus Complex, Martyr Complex are some of the complexes found in humans. As a matter of fact, everyone suffers from a complex in their subconscious mind.
What is Hypersexuality?
Hypersexuality is an overwhelming compulsion to have sex or to enjoy erotica. Hypersexuality is like a craving sensation to your body.
To put it in simple terms, think of it like you are in the middle of a desert and your water supply is getting lower. You begin to dehydrate as time passes.
After some hours you will feel like you would do absolutely anything to get some water.
In the same context a person who is diagnosed with Hypersexuality can strive or crave for sex. The person can go any limits to achieve sex or sexual pleasure.
What triggers Hypersexuality?
To answer this question we need to understand one more term called the Bipolar disorder. Both these conditions are large and complex. Therefore, let us focus only on the definition for now.
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness of the brain, just like any other medical conditions. In bipolar disorder, a patient experiences major highs and major lows.
Just like weed or drugs makes one feel “high”, bipolar patients experience major “highs” and “lows” in their daily life.
When facing “highs”, they usually show the following behavioural traits:
- Lack of sleep
- Excessive energy or hyperactivity
- Lack of concentration
- Sudden feelings and portrayals of joy
- Recklessness and Engaging in risky behaviour
In major “lows”, bipolar patients usually show the following behavioural traits:
- Depression
- Lack of concentration
- Low energy levels throughout the day
- Excessive sleepiness or lack of sleep
- Guilt
So the point is, studies and researches show that more than 50% of the bipolar patients show the hypersexual behavior during their major “highs”.
Till date, the exact cause of the bipolar disorder is unknown. However, there are some factors that contribute to it. The factors are:
- Psychological trauma
- Abnormalities in the brain,
- Chemical imbalances in the brain
- Excessive stress
- Subject to abuse
What is the Don Juan complex?
The Don Juan complex, also known as “Don Juanism“, is a disorder that refers to a man’s desire to seek new sexual partners from time to time. This is a non-clinical term.
A sexually active man constantly thinks of ways to be intimate with women for the sole purpose of being physical with her and engaging in a “no strings attached” relationship.
Such a man has, what we call, the “Don Juan complex“.
It can be duly deemed as a sexual addiction. But that would be an umbrella term that includes women with the same condition as well.
Is the Don Juan Complex Dangerous?
Don Juanism is not a genetic disorder or some characteristic that is inherited from parents. Rather this is something that one develops with time. For instance, when one makes memories with their sexual partner(s), but then realizes that he wants something more and something different.
This condition is potentially harmful for a man. The reason is that if one possess the Don Juan complex, he/she is constantly craving for sex and looking for new female partners to have sex with.
Given the fact that the man can go to any limits to achieve sex, he is bound to make choices that can bear catastrophic effects in his life.
Having Don Juan complex always finds a way to get the best of a man and ruin the chances of having a decent, fruitful relationship with any women in the future.
Don Juanism is also a sign of instability. This means that a man who possess such characteristics will not be able to appreciate a committed and monogamous relationship with a woman. In his case, sexual desire outshines the possibility of intimacy and love.
Conclusion
All of our actions have an underlying cause that needs to be addressed and resolved accordingly. The best possible way to overcome a fear or a mental ‘disorder’ is to be able to address the problem. Opening up to loved ones or near ones has uncountable benefits.
In case of such mental health conditions, seeking professional therapy is always advisable. If someone you know has the Don Juan complex, help them find the light. Help them live their life without indulging in such hedonistic practices that not only destroy their own life but others as well in the long run.
