PROBLEMATIC SEXUAL BEHAVIOR

“Recovery is a noun and a verb.”
— David

Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD)

Problematic pornography use and uncontrolled sexual behavior are a rising public health issue in the U.S. and around the world. Many men and an increasing number of women feel a strong urge to seek out sex and sexually explicit content. Research in brain science and addiction shows that frequent pornography use and constant sexual arousal can be harmful, causing lasting changes in the brain and other symptoms, such as:

  • Depression & suicidal thoughts

  • Anxiety

  • Irritability & anger management problems

  • Shame

  • Poor self-image

  • Isolation & social anxiety

  • Conflict avoidance

  • Relationship conflicts and divorce

  • Work-related problems

  • Financial problems

  • Legal problems

  • Thinking and concentration problems

  • Erectile dysfunction & other sexual dysfunctions

Compulsive sexual behavior is now viewed as an acceptable generalized disorder, such as anxiety and depression, and exhibits key features:

  1. Inability to control sexual impulses: Individuals with CSBD experience intense, repetitive sexual urges that they cannot voluntarily curtail.

  2. Repetitive sexual behavior: The disorder is characterized by repetitive sexual behavior, which may include excessive masturbation, compulsive seeking of sexual partners, or engaging in risky sexual behaviors.

  3. Marked distress or impairment: CSBD causes significant psychological distress, impairment in daily life, and potential harm to oneself or others.

  4. Persistent pattern: The disorder persists over an extended period, typically six months or more.

Services Available

  • Screening & assessment

  • Psychoeducation

  • Task-centered treatment plans & coaching

  • Individual therapy for addict & partner

  • Group support

Out-of-control sexual behavior is a real problem. It does not discriminate on the basis of gender, wealth, profession, culture, age, or religious background. It is a brain problem in which the pleasure/reward system “hijacks” the part of the brain responsible for thinking, judgment, task organization, memory, mood, and personal values. Over time, and through stimulus conditioning, the brain can rewire itself permanently, a phenomenon called “neuroplasticity”. These neuroplastic changes result in compulsive, automatic sexual obsession and behaviors, which, if untreated, can result in negative life experiences and even death.

Diagram of the human brain illustrating the reward system with labeled parts, including the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and ventral Tegmental Area.

If you or your partner are struggling with this issue, or would like to know more about compulsive sexual behavior please reach out to me today.

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