Antidepressants such as fluoxetine have also been found to decrease sex drive but have not effectively targeted sexual fantasies. Cognitive therapies include restructuring cognitive distortions and empathy training. Restructuring cognitive distortions involves correcting a pedophile's thoughts that the child wishes to be involved in the activity.
What is cognitive behavior therapy for pedophiles?
The cognitive behavior therapist is mainly concerned with redirecting the pedophiles thinking and, as a result, his behavior by using various methods to help eliminate his erotic thoughts toward children (Berlin & Krout, 1994).
Can antidepressants help treat pedophilia?
Evidence exists that these anti-depression medications, that are used for treating obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD,) are effective in treating pedophilia. While physical castration is considered barbaric in this country, it has been used in Europe in the past.
What do we know about the disorder of pedophilia?
The disorder of pedophilia has been found almost exclusively in males. It is very important for practitioners who work with sex offenders to understand the facts about their illness, rather than making judgments based upon assumptions. There is still much to learn about the mental illness of pedophilia
What are the most common types of cognitive behavioral treatment?
According to Canadian sexologist Michael Seto, cognitive-behavioral treatments target attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that are believed to increase the likelihood of sexual offenses against children, and "relapse prevention" is the most common type of cognitive behavioral treatment.
What is the treatment for pedophilia?
The primary treatments for pedophilia include Cognitive Behavior Therapy, pharmacotherapy (drugs that suppress sexual appetite), or a combination of the two. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (C BT) attempts to influence cognitive processes before a sexually deviant behavior occurs.
What is the best treatment for sexual urges?
Pharmacotherapy focuses on reducing the sex drive by lowering testosterone levels which decreases the frequency and intensity of deviant sexual urges. These drugs include medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), cyproterone acetate (CPA), luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), and leuprolide acetate (LA). Many researchers agree that the best ...
Which model includes developing life skills such as social skills, positive attitudes, and raising self-esteem to attain a happy
The models include the risk/needs model, which pertains to the higher the risk the more intensive treatment is needed. The next model is the good lives model which includes developing life skills such as social skills, positive attitudes, and raising self-esteem to attain a happy life.
Is cognitive behavioral therapy one size fits all?
These drugs lower the male hormones causing a decrease in sexual desires, activities, and fantasies. Some researchers believe that cognitive behavioral therapy is too "one size fits all" approach. There should be flexibility in the therapy approach and the therapist should be able to adjust according to the individual.
What is cognitive behavioral therapy?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems including depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, marital problems, eating disorders, and severe mental illness.
How does CBT help with psychological problems?
Psychological problems are based, in part, on learned patterns of unhelpful behavior. People suffering from psychological problems can learn better ways of coping with them, thereby relieving their symptoms and becoming more effective in their lives. CBT treatment usually involves efforts to change thinking patterns.
What is CBT therapy?
Learning to develop a greater sense of confidence in one’s own abilities. CBT treatment also usually involves efforts to change behavioral patterns. These strategies might include: Facing one’s fears instead of avoiding them.
How does CBT work?
Rather, the psychologist and patient/client work together, in a collaborative fashion, to develop an understanding of the problem and to develop a treatment strategy. CBT places an emphasis on helping individuals learn to be their own therapists.
What is the focus of CBT?
A certain amount of information about one’s history is needed, but the focus is primari ly on moving forward in time to develop more effective ways of coping with life.
Is CBT better than other forms of therapy?
In many studies, CBT has been demonstrated to be as effective as, or more effective than, other forms of psychological therapy or psychiatric medications.
Castration
- While physical castration is considered barbaric in this country, it has been used in Europe in the past. It is no longer used as a means of treatment for sexual deviants in Europe today. Castration involves the physical removal of the testes, which is the organ in the male which produces the s…
Specific Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
- Some specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors that are used for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have been found to be effective for treating sexual disorders. It has been suggested that paraphilias are part of the spectrum of OCD. With this consideration in mind, the OCD medication Sertraline (Zoloft) was tested on pedophiles. This treatment proved effective an…
Psychotherapy
- Psychotherapy is not the most effective form of treatment for pedophilia; however, it still is important to teach pedophiles what is at the root of their problems. Paul Knuckman, clinical psychologist and sexual offender counselor, states that he focuses on teaching these men that the problem is greater than this particular contact with this victim. It has to do with how they ma…
Family-Systems Theory
- Family systems therapy has been tried in homes where incest has occurred and it is desired by all family members to reunite or keep the family intact. This type of therapy needs to be insight oriented. All members of the family are involved, especially the parents. The basic focus of the treatment is for the father to accept responsibility for his acts and the mother for her contributio…
Conclusion
- Empirical studies indicate that the most effective treatment as far as physical sexual abuse is concerned resides in the castration methods either physical, which is illegal, or chemical. The reason these methods are effective, is not because the illness is being cured, but rather because the sexual desire of the male is being inhibited. Nothing about the mental attitude is being addre…
References
- American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition: DSM-IV-TR (Fourth ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association. Berlin, F. S., & Krout, E. (1994). Pedophilia: Diagnostic Concepts Treatment and Ethical Considerations. Retrieved from http://www.bishop-accountability.org. Bradford, J. M., & Kaye, N. S. (n.d.). The Ph…