Search

The etiology of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is unexplained: biological, psychological and social factors must be considered. This study examined if differences in HPA-axis activity already exist in those who do not yet fulfill IBS criteria (i.e. 'subthreshold IBS'). We also investigated whether there were differences between those who reported clinically relevant (i.e. distressing) IBS symptoms and those who did not. Thirty-six women were subdivided into three groups (IBS group, subthreshold IBS group, control group). Results showed differences in morning cortisol levels (U = 11.58; p < 0.05), with IBS patients showing a lower cortisol response compared to controls. Subthreshold IBS patients were comparable to controls regarding endocrine function. Diurnal cortisol levels did not differ between groups. Group comparisons between distressed subjects and non-distressed subjects regarding cortisol levels did not reach significance. The finding of endocrine abnormalities (at least in a sub-set of patients) is important since these might be associated with deficient pain processing in IBS., Author(s): Charlotte Markert[sup.1] , Kerstin Suarez-Hitz[sup.2] , Ulrike Ehlert[sup.2] , Urs M. Nater[sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) Department of Psychology, Clinical Biopsychology, University of Marburg, Gutenbergstr.18, 35032, Marburg, Germany (2) Department [...]

Background: For the first time, the ICD provides the diagnosis of compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) in its 11th revision. To date, for the most common form of CSBD, the pornography-use disorder (PUD), there are hardly any randomized controlled trial treatment studies. Meta-analyses showed, that cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective psychotherapeutic treatment approach. Despite first promising studies, more methodologically rigorous and statistically well-powered studies are strongly recommended. Therefore, we developed a specific cognitive behavioral treatment intervention program (PornLoS), which includes individual as well as group therapy, and sexual counseling if needed. This program will be tested in the next four years in an RCT clinical study. Method: 237 patients with PUD will be randomly assigned to three treatment groups. The two experimental groups will receive the newly developed psychotherapeutic treatment but with the difference that the first group will have the goal abstinence from pornography use and the second group the goal of reduced, harm-avoiding pornography use. For the third group, a therapy-as-usual is planned. Results: The therapeutic components of PornLoS will be described in detail. The diagnostic and statistical approaches will be discussed and first results of a pilot study will be presented. Conclusions: The PornLoS project is an important step to improve the care situation for persons suffering from PUD through evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In different international studies, the prevalence estimates for compulsive sexual behavior disorder and especially for pornography use disorder (PUD) greatly varied, and aspects of care were not addressed. This present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of PUD in Germany, to identify the psychotherapy demand among PUD patients and the treatment supply in different psychotherapeutic settings, to survey psychotherapists' level of expertise regarding PUD, and to identify predictors for psychotherapy demand. Method: Four studies were conducted: First, an online study in the general population (n=2070; females 50.8%); second, a survey among practicing psychotherapists (n=983); third, a survey of psychotherapists in psychotherapeutic outpatient clinics (n=185); forth, interviews with psychotherapeutic inpatient clinics (n=28). Results: The prevalence of PUD was 4.7% (men: 8.3%; women: 1.3%) in the online study. Among PUD cases, 51.2% of men and 64.3% of women were interested in PUD treatment. Psychotherapists reported 1.2%-2.9% of PUD cases among their patients. 43.2%-61.5% of psychotherapists stated to be poorly informed about PUD. Only 7% of psychotherapeutic inpatient clinics provided specific treatments to patients with PUD. While, among other factors, negative consequences attributed to PUD were predictive of psychotherapy demand. Conclusions: Overall, the high interest in therapy, the low rate of patients in outpatient and inpatient treatment, the few offers of specific clinical therapy, and the low level of knowledge among therapists indicate a lack of treatment services. This indicates that there is a great need for treatment offers and the establishment of disorder-specific knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The introduction of Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) into the 11th International Classification of Diseases has raised expectations for better treatment options for CSBD. Furthermore, the treatment demand has increased, particularly for pornography use disorder (PUD), a subtype of CSBD. Presumably due to the easy access to Internet pornography an increasing prevalence of PUD is observed. Consequently, providing tailored and effective treatment is essential., Methods: This article provides an overview of the manualized short-term PornLoS Treatment Program (Pornografienutzungsstörung effektiv behandeln- Leben ohne Suchtdruck; translation: Treating pornography use disorder effectively - life without craving). The program combines 24 individual and 6 group psychotherapy sessions with an interdisciplinary approach by offering a novel treatment framework. This includes, e.g., a mobile app, establishment of self-help groups, and access to other social services such as couple counseling. The cognitive-behavioral treatment program contains interventions addressing psychoeducation, cue exposure, impulse control, cognitive restructuring, emotional regulation, and relapse management.We here also describe the study protocol of an ongoing four-arm randomized controlled trial. The aim is to test two variants of the PornLoS Treatment Program differing with respect to their treatment goal (abstinence or reduced pornography use) against cognitive-behavioral treatment as usual and against a waitlist control group. The primary outcome is the absence of a PUD diagnosis at the end of therapy. The total target sample size will comprise n = 316 patients with PUD across eight study sites., Results: The results will be presented at international conferences and published in a scientific peer-reviewed journal.