A mindful model of sexual health: A review and implications of the model for the treatment of individuals with compulsive sexual behavior disorder

Abstract

Background and aimsMindfulness-based approaches, derived from centuries of eastern philosophy and practice, have been increasingly incorporated into western medicine. For example, data support the efficacy of mindfulness-based therapies to reduce stress and promote mental health.MethodsIn this study, we briefly review models and approaches to sexual health in the context of considering compulsive sexual behavior disorder, describe mindfulness-based approaches to stress, addiction, and compulsive sexual behaviors, and present a Mindful Model of Sexual Health (MMSH) that incorporates elements of eastern and western philosophies. We further illustrate the clinical utility of the MMSH in a clinical case description.ResultsWe propose the MMSH as a holistic and integrative model that honors and acknowledges individual differences and provides mindfulness-based tools and practices to support individuals to proactively manage, balance, and promote sexual and mental health. The MMSH may be used as a framework to organize information regarding physical, mental, emotional, sexual, and relational health, as well as a conceptual map offering navigational skills to access information within one’s mind/body to make informed decisions to promote well-being regarding sexual satisfaction and health. In its organizational structure, the MMSH is divided into eight domains that are theoretically linked to biological functions and may be used to identify and overcome barriers to sexual health through mindful inquiries in clinical practice or educational settings.Discussion and conclusionGiven its focus on awareness of interoceptive processes through mind/body connectedness, the MMSH may resonate with a wide range of individuals, including those with compulsive sexual behavior disorder.

The Pornography “Rebooting” Experience: A Qualitative Analysis of Abstinence Journals on an Online Pornography Abstinence Forum

“…Cultivating dispositional mindfulness could help reduce automatic pilot behaviors that lead to lapses (Witkiewitz et al, 2014 ). Engaging in mindful sexual activity (Blycker & Potenza, 2018 ; Hall, 2019 ; Van Gordon et al, 2016 ) may allow for conditioning of the sexual response beyond pornography-related cues so that sexual activity can be enjoyed without dependence on pornography and pornography-related fantasy (e.g., masturbating without needing to fantasize to memories of pornography).…”

<p>Spotlight on Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder: A Systematic Review of Research on Women</p>

“…Compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) such as excessive pornography use and masturbation, uncontrolled use of paid sexual services, and impulsive/compulsive engagement in risky sexual contacts, is an emerging topic in science and psychiatry. 1 Research within the last decade has provided data showing some similarities of neuronal mechanisms underlying CSB (in men), and substance and behavioral addiction, [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] proposed therapeutic interventions [10][11][12][13] and conceptualization, [14][15][16][17][18] what resulted with the inclusion of compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) in the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (6C72). 19 According to ICD-11, CSBD is characterized by a persistent pattern of failure to control intense, sexual impulses or urges, resulting in repetitive sexual behavior over an extended period (eg, 6 months or more) that induces marked distress or impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.…”

Spiritual experiences are related to engagement of a ventral frontotemporal functional brain network: Implications for prevention and treatment of behavioral and substance addictions

“…Mindfulness-based practices often include spiritual elements and have empirical support in the treatment of addictions (Brewer, Bowen, Smith, Marlatt, & Potenza, 2010;Brewer et al, 2009;Witkiewitz et al, 2014). Similarly, mindfulness has been considered in the treatment of gambling disorder (Chen, Jindani, Perry, & Turner, 2014;de Lisle, Dowling, & Allen, 2012;Shonin, Van Gordon, & Griffiths, 2014), Internet gaming disorder (Zhang, Yao, Potenza, Xia, Lan, Liu, et al, 2016a;, and compulsive sexual behaviors (Blycker & Potenza, 2018). As such, the current findings suggests mechanisms by which aspects of such interventions may operate, and studies directly examining how interventions that include mindfulness-related elements should consider examining directly changes in spiritual processes and frontotemporal-network function.…”