WE KNOW EXERCISE IS GOOD for many physical conditions: arthritis, dementia, attention deficit as well as maintaining good health and physical condition overall! Did you know research has shown exercise to be an effective component in the treatment of depression and anxiety too? According to Michael Otto, Ph.D. (Boston U.), "Failing to exercise when you feel bad is like explicitly not taking an aspirin when your head hurts."
ARE WE AS HAPPILY MARRIED as Americans were 20 years ago? According to Alan Booth, Penn State professor of Human Development and Sociology, the answer is YES. Levels of marital satisfaction in his research with couples in 1980 and in 2000 were similar.
Of course every relationship takes work and sometimes we benefit from the help of professionals in figuring out strategies that help us through challenges with others.
IS THERE SUCH A THING AS SEXUAL ADDICTION? There is an ongoing debate about whether "sexual addiction” is a real thing, even among within the mental health community. Few people deny the existence of “problematic sexual behavior” which is a term many feel is more accurately descriptive and comfortable. Generally mental health professionals agree that what’s most important is acknowledging a problem exists and seeking appropriate professional help to identify the factors involved and effective resources and strategies for change. Robert Weiss, MSW, a well-respected researcher and clinician in the area of sexual addiction, addresses the debate about terminology and explains the underlying issues related to problematic sexual behavior in this interview in Psychology Today about his book Sex Addition 101.
HELP FOR CYBERSEX Although online compulsive sexual behavior is an ever-increasing problem, there are specific treatment approaches that can help. Both behavioral and psychodynamic changes are necessary to be able to manage and alter the undesired behaviors. Cybersex Unhooked by David Delmonico & Elizabeth Griffin, is a self-help workbook that looks at the issues involved in changing online sexual behavior. Therapists who have experience and training in this specialty area of internet addiction can help individuals, couples and families find their way through the pain of unhealthy sexual behavior and toward effective healing and change.