David Duchovny has checked into rehab to undergo treatment for sex addiction, E! News has confirmed.

"I have voluntarily entered a facility for the treatment of sex addiction," Duchovny said in a statement released Thursday by his attorney, Stanton "Larry" Stein. "I ask for respect and privacy for my wife and children as we deal with this situation as a family."

The 48-year-old X-Files star—who, ironically, won a Golden Globe this year for playing an over-sexed struggling writer on Showtime's Californication—has been married to Téa Leoni since May 1997. They have two children together, daughter Madelaine West, 9, and son Kyd Miller, 6.

Often likened to alcoholism, drug addiction or gambling, sex addiction is a form of compulsive behavior which is sending growing numbers of people into therapy but which is not formally recognized as a "diagnosable disorder" by the American Psychiatric Association.
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According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms range from rampant promiscuity to spending hours looking at pornography and using sex to escape from problems such as depression or stress. It is often accompanied by secrecy and shame, and sufferers have difficulties with emotional intimacy.

Somebody who spends a lot of time and energy engaging in sexual activity either alone or with others - and whose life is negatively impacted by that behaviour - would be considered to have a sexual addiction, said psychologist Dennis Kalogeropoulos of the McGill University Health Centre.

"We can't just say if somebody masturbates 12 times a day, that's wrong," said Kalogeropoulos, who runs a sex and couple therapy service.

"If they take care of other things in their life, if they're physically and physiologically OK otherwise, we can't really say that."

Signs of dysfunction include students not studying for exams, or people at work sneaking off to the bathroom to masturbate in the middle of the day, Kalogeropoulos said. A craving for Internet porn, for example, might result in poor sexual relationships with partners or ruined careers.

surfed the internet for porn on a regular basis?????

Not to be too cynical but why does he issue a statement? I didn't see it being reported beforehand.

Tea Leoni, his wife, is also in a movie coming out soon with Ricky Gervais and Greg Kinnear. Possible publicity stunt????