Sex Compulsion/OCSB

Sex is an important part of a balanced lifestyle. But for some people, sex (or an aspect of it) becomes an obsession or compulsion that may negatively affect the social, physical, and behavioural aspects of their lives. Sex addiction or compulsive sexual behaviour are some of the more commonly used terms but there are others that may more adequately describe the behaviour such as Hypersexuality or Out of Control Sexual Behaviour (OCSB).

Hypersexuality or sex compulsion is a dysfunctional preoccupation with sexual fantasies, urges, or behaviours that can impact your mental health, your relationships, and even your daily activities.
“Out of control sexual behaviour” (OCSB) is defined as a sexual health problem in which consensual sexual urges, thoughts, or behaviours feel out of control.

Although these terms are similar, and the behaviours could also look similar, there are distinct differences between them and how to work with them.

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Team Member Spotlight

Sabrina Brady

Edmonton Central, Edmonton North, Online Counselling

Food Addiction, Out of Control Shopping, Pornography, Problem Gaming, Sex Compulsion/OCSB, Alcohol Dependence, Drug/Substance Abuse

Symptoms & Signs of Sex Addiction

Sexual impulses that feel beyond your control
Using sexual behaviour as a form of escape from negative feelings and problems like stress, depression, or loneliness
Participating in risky sexual acts that lead to dangerous consequences such as giving or acquiring a sexually transmitted infection, or acts that can risk your personal and professional relationships
Being unable to have and maintain emotional intimacy in a relationship
Spending an inordinate amount of time thinking about or acting on a sexual behaviour.

Symptoms & Signs of OCSB

Specifically in individuals who have extramarital affairs or multiple sexual partners
High use of pornography
Engage in significantly high levels of masturbation.
Difficulty with emotional intimacy and/or relationships.
(Please note that mere participation in these above behaviours does not mean that one is “out of control” or “addicted.”)

When is it time to seek help?

When the behaviours of sex addiction cause distress in your life or in your relationship, then it’s time to seek help. Be wary of professionals who claim that “sex addiction” is a valid diagnosis and claim that affairs, engaging in kink, or watching pornography are hallmark signs of addiction. These professionals are not Certified Sex Therapists and are trained in a different model that is not currently accepted by psychologists and psychiatrists in our diagnostic and treatment manual.

Treatment Options

Individual Psychotherapy and a support system, which can include 12 step group therapy, are typically used to treat out of control sexual behaviour. Approaching a professional for psychotherapy or an assessment may feel embarrassing but is an essential first step. It takes courage to even read this webpage right now.

Support groups outside of Insight are also available since other individuals suffer from the same condition. Apart from group therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and family therapy are part of the treatment. We also have specialists with training in working with sex addiction that is an integrated and comprehensive model for addressing these issues.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) One of the most commonly used treatment methods for addiction and problematic compulsive behaviours is cognitive behavioural therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach to treatment that focuses on how people’s thoughts, emotions, and beliefs influence their behaviours and how they perceive themselves, others, and the world. CBT differs from other therapies because of its emphasis on the theory that how you perceive a problem or situation causes negative or dysfunctional emotions and/or behaviours. The goal of CBT in the context of a substance use disorder and/or problematic substance use issues is for the client to understand what drives their problematic behaviours and how these issues are related to other aspects of their lives. Once the client understands what thoughts and/or environmental factors lead to their problematic and/or compulsive behaviours, they are better equipped to succeed in the recovery process and prevent future relapse.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) may be used to treat problematic gambling, shopping, video games, eating disorders, and sex compulsions including pornography. Emotionally focused therapy is an empirically-based approach, which looks at emotions and emotional intelligence, which helps support stronger and more secure relationships by helping better understand how our problematic behaviours impact others, and how our emotions drive our interactions.

Behaviour Therapy Behavioural therapy may be used to treat a wide range of problematic compulsive behaviours such as drug and/or alcohol use, food or eating issues, problematic gambling and gaming, pornography and sex related compulsions, relationship dependence, shopping compulsion and smoking. Behaviour Therapy includes the thinking processes, attitudes and values which typically impact an individual. Generally speaking, Behaviour Therapy tends to view human beings and behaviour with the assumption that humans are a product of their sociocultural conditioning and environment. In the context of addiction or a substance use disorder, behavioural therapy focuses on changing self-destructive or problematic behaviours through purposely and systematically applied concepts. Behavioural therapy also looks at your current problems and the factors influencing them. This therapeutic modality emphasizes noticeable and obvious behaviour changes more than your underlying unconscious processes.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) may be used to treat drug or substance use issues and behavioural compulsions which may include shopping, gambling, video games, porn, sex and/or social media. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy focuses on being present in your life and dealing with your challenges rather than trying to eliminate the difficult or unpleasant thoughts or feelings related to them. This therapy will help you learn to open up and accept those feelings that lead to struggles with addiction, substance use issues or compulsive behaviours rather than trying to escape them or avoiding situations in which they may occur. Acceptance and commitment therapy will help the client hone in on their core values and align their thoughts and behaviours to them. The success of this therapy lies in the client feeling better, which then leads to a better understanding of their issues and the work it takes to successfully recover from their struggles with addiction.

What will I get out of addictions treatment with Insight Psychological?

If sex addiction or out of control sexual behaviour is affecting your life, you should know that you’re not alone. Our therapists utilize a variety of effective treatment methods that can support you on your journey to finding healthy ways to cope, and to reclaim your relationships and your life.