How Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Used In Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is one of the most common sexual disorders among the male population: it is estimated that it affects more or less 10% of men. And this percentage shoots up to 50% if we look at middle-aged men.
However, as a general rule it is an alteration that can be treated effectively. What happens is that due to the taboo subject that sexuality continues to be, accentuated by the stigma associated with men who “do not perform” sexually, many men do not even consider seeking professional help due to factors such as shame, attempts to avoid thinking about that problem, the fear of putting his manhood at risk, etc.
In this article we are going to clear up a whole series of unknowns, myths and problematic ideas about erectile dysfunction, talking about the way in which you can intervene in it from cognitive-behavioral therapy
Why go to psychological therapy to treat erectile dysfunction?
The first obstacle that must be overcome to adequately confront the problem of erectile dysfunction is the widespread belief that it is above all an organic problem, which can only be remedied through medicine. This idea makes many people afraid of starting treatment since in the absence of knowledge about a topic, it is easy to imagine the worst possible scenario, such as going through the operating room and having to undergo painful operations.
But the truth is that in most cases, erectile dysfunction can be treated painlessly. And not only that; In most cases, the key is in psychological intervention and not in invasive treatments that involve manipulating specific organs and tissues of the body.
And although many people do not know it, psychological factors are among the most common causes of erectile dysfunction, so that by intervening in them through psychological therapy it is possible to overcome this type of alterations. For example, incorrect management of stress or anxiety, as well as low self-esteem (which produces feelings of shame when undressing or in sexual encounters due to the phenomenon of self-fulfilling prophecy), fears or even phobias linked to sex, etc
Yes indeed, It may be necessary to combine visits to the psychologist with follow-up medical treatment And the situations in which the disorder is caused by an injury or inadequate functioning of an organ are relatively rare; If there are organic factors that contribute to erectile dysfunction remaining in the person’s daily life, these usually have to do with blood flow and/or the flow of hormones that travel through it, so normally the use of certain pills is the main route of medical treatment, and or operations.
And other ways to improve the patient’s situation are a mixture of psychological and organic processes; For example, the implementation of healthier lifestyle habits, such as stopping smoking (tobacco contributes to the appearance of erectile dysfunction), exercising, eating a balanced diet, etc. In short, strategies in which the behavioral and the organic go hand in hand to reduce the chances of having problems achieving an erection and being able to maintain it.
That is why erectile dysfunction is a problem that It can be treated from sexology and/or psychotherapy in general, although in some cases it is also recommended that this route and intervention be combined with biomedical strategies (normally, the use of certain prescription drugs). In some cases, once you have gone through the first stages of psychotherapy, the use of medications can stop.
Application of cognitive-behavioral therapy in patients with erectile dysfunction
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy in which psychologists have the double mission of help patients modify their beliefs and way of thinking, on the one hand, and their routines and habits when relating to the environment and with others, on the other
That is, it intervenes both in cognitions (internal psychological processes based on abstract thinking) and in behavior, actions observable by third parties. Through this double action, both dimensions of the person’s life, the subjective and the objective, reinforce each other to consolidate changes in the way of living life. And in the case at hand, in the way enjoy sexuality and take advantage of its potential without giving in to unfounded fears, stress or anxiety attacks, or limiting beliefs etc.
Thus, the main ways in which cognitive-behavioral therapy helps with erectile dysfunction are as follows.
Do you want to start a therapy process?
If you are interested in having psychotherapeutic assistance, contact me.
Am Diego Sebastian Rojo, psychologist specialized in Clinical Psychology and cognitive-behavioral therapy with more than a decade of experience in the sector. I work helping people who need to go through a psychotherapy process individually, or in the context of couples therapy. I can assist you in person or through the online therapy format by video call.
