If you’re struggling with a compulsive sexual urge, it is important to seek the help of a mental health professional. Treatment options for sex addiction may include self-help support groups, psychotherapy, and medication.
Psychotherapy for sex addiction usually involves helping individuals identify and work through the underlying issues contributing to their addictive behavior. For example, some people develop sex addiction as a way to cope with emotional or physical distress or to feel less alone. In such cases, a therapist may suggest exploring different coping techniques like exercise, mindfulness strategies, and meditation.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on the driving mental aspect of most addictions. In CBT, patients learn to change negative thoughts that trigger impulses into positive affirmations and self-talk. The goal is to teach individuals healthy coping mechanisms and to practice them until they become natural.
Mindfulness approaches are also used to help sex addicts be more aware of their emotions. This helps people tolerate more difficult feelings and avoid relapses. Individuals with sex addiction might be encouraged to keep a journal to record their sexual urges and times when they have violated their own boundaries, as well as how these experiences make them feel.
Some people struggle with sex addiction as a result of childhood trauma or unhealthy attachment patterns. These can be due to neglect or parental enmeshment, which leaves children feeling unworthy of love, attention, and affection. For these individuals, a therapist might recommend addressing early trauma and learning healthier ways to form relationships.Sex therapist