Dr. Reef Karim
Assistant Clinical Professor, UCLA
Director, Control Center (for Addictions)
Sex Addiction, also known as compulsive sexual behavior or hypersexual disorder, is characterized by inappropriate or excessive sexual behaviors or thoughts that lead to subjective distress or impaired functioning. Sex Addicts have an inability to regulate their own feelings and act out sexually in order to deal with their negative feeling states.
Behavioral Addictions like sex addiction, pathologic gambling, compulsive shopping, internet/videogame addiction and disordered eating appear to be growing due to our higher paced society and the internet. Our treatment must keep up with our technology.
| Joanne P. |
October 26th, 2009 10:24 pm ET How does any therapist treat addiction to obsessive compulsive computer folly? Is there a 12 step program? |
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| Katrina Taylor |
October 26th, 2009 10:45 pm ET Sex addition is also known as "I needed an excuse to explain my basic stupidity and disrespect for my partner" syndrome. |
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| Pete Lash |
October 26th, 2009 10:49 pm ET To say that sex addiction is some type of cop-out is totally bogus. Mr. Phillips' entry into a rehab program isa rational, logical, and desireable plan. He should be given credit for making a decision to seek help and resolution to a definite condition. |
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| Vernard Mercader |
October 26th, 2009 10:57 pm ET I have a cure. It's called a girlfriend. |
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| Manuel Mota-Castillo, M.D. |
October 26th, 2009 11:49 pm ET Dr. Karim: I saw your interview in AD360 and that ignited my interest in reading your commentary. Unfortunately I was disappointed by how brief it is. |
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| Lori |
October 27th, 2009 12:57 am ET This is a very interesting ink. Thanks |
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| :eah |
October 27th, 2009 9:02 am ET Sex addiction is merely an excuse for people [men] to get by with bad behavior and making poor choices. I just don't buy it. |
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