We used fMRI to examine brain responses to sexually explicit videos in individuals with compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) compared to controls. CSB subjects showed greater activation in the ventral striatum, dorsal anterior cingulate, and amygdala — regions associated with reward, salience, and emotional processing.
Partners of individuals in sex addiction treatment often experience a secondary traumatization process that requires its own dedicated therapeutic attention. This study found that partners who received individual trauma-focused therapy alongside their partner's treatment showed significantly better psychological outcomes at 6 and 12 months compared to partners who were included only in couples therapy.
This study examined the psychological and physiological impact of sexual betrayal on partners. Of 35 female participants whose partners were self-identified sex addicts, 70% met criteria for PTSD using the PTSD Checklist-Civilian version.
Couples who experienced sexual betrayal were followed over 2 years in an integrative treatment program. Trust scores improved significantly over 12–18 months when partners completed a structured forgiveness and disclosure process.