There is a wide range of treatment options for those struggling with sex addiction san diego. In addition to talk therapy and medication, many people benefit from attending twelve-step programs or community support groups. Often, these groups help people overcome shame related to their compulsive sexual behaviors and learn how to separate them from their overall sense of self-worth. In some cases, medication is also used to treat co-occurring conditions like depression, anxiety or PTSD.
While sex addiction is commonly understood as a disorder of compulsive sexual behavior, it is important to note that sex addiction can encompass a variety of behaviors, including excessive masturbation, obsessive preoccupation with pornography and risky sexual behaviors. A sex addict may spend hours on the computer searching for pornography, masturbating while driving or walking through public spaces or even pursuing unconsensual sex.
Men and women who engage in these types of behaviors are viewed as deviants, perverts or pedophiles and are often denied the help they need because of the stigma associated with their struggles. Similarly, therapists with a primary focus on treating consensual sexual behavior will typically have little to no training in the area of non-consensual sex.
It is critical that anyone who is struggling with these issues seek out professional care from a sex addiction specialist. Those who try to tackle these issues alone or keep their struggles secret are often at greater risk for a relapse. Additionally, by struggling in secrecy, individuals are missing out on the opportunity to gain a healthy perspective of their struggles and to build relationships with others who have similar concerns.