(160) SCHEMA THERAPY: NOVEL THERAPEUTIC PROSPECTS FOR COMPULSIVE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR DISORDER
Authors: Perissini AL 
Published: December 2024

Introduction

The World Health Organization included compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) in the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). This condition is characterized by the failure to control sexual impulses, often involving intense, repetitive behavior. The diagnostic guidelines of the ICD-11 include sexual activity as the central component of the life of the affected individual, with the neglect of other aspects of life, failure to interrupt repetitive sexual behavior and the maintenance of sexual behaviors despite negative consequences for the individual. These factors are manifested as cognitive distortions and emotional regulation strategies. The origin, development and maintenance of CSBD may be early maladaptive schemas (EMSs). According to Jeffrey Young, EMSs are stable, lasting patterns formed by memories, emotions and physical sensations related to oneself or relationships with others developed during childhood or adolescence that are elaborated throughout one’s lifetime and are dysfunctional to a significant degree. Schema therapy is proposed as innovative, holistic therapy developed by Jeffrey Young that expands traditional cognitive-behavioral concepts and treatments. This form of therapy blends elements of cognitive-behavioral, attachment, gestalt, object relations, constructivist and psychoanalytical theories in a conceptual framework and rich, unifying treatment. With sexual complaints, schema therapy takes a deeper approach that goes beyond symptoms. The conceptualization of the schema of sexual problems can provide a method focused on the formulation of cases that facilitates effective short-term interventions and, at the same time, enables the determination of emerging development, personality and contextual factors in the problem activated by current situations.

Objective

To present a work proposal based on schema therapy for individuals with CSBD.

Methods

A qualitative narrative review was conducted. This type of review is appropriate for discussing the state of the art of a given subject and involves a broad analysis of the literature without establishing rigorous methods that are replicable in the reproduction of data and quantitative answers to specific questions. Five articles from different scientific periodicals published in the period from 2016 to 2021 were selected to guide the analysis.

Results

Promising associations between CSBD and EMSs were found in the studies. Individuals who operate in accordance with the “disconnection/rejection”, “impaired autonomy and/or performance” and “impaired limits” domains have a greater likelihood of becoming involved in CSBD. There is an explicit treatment recommendation based on competences to enable participants in treatment to change their cognition and behavior in order to become enrooted in their behavioral repertoire in relation to treatment. The use of schema therapy could be important to enhancing the results of treatment based on cognitive-behavioral therapy and reducing the likelihood of relapse in individuals with CSBD.

Conclusions

Schema therapy is a trend that concentrates on the pathological personality characteristics of individuals. The understanding of the formation of symptoms is associated with the development of maladaptive schemas that were influenced by various environmental and biological factors that affect the temperament of the individual and his or her mode of functioning.

Disclosure

No.