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RESOLVE

Strategies

Process Addiction

Trauma-Induced Disordered Eating

Sexual Dysfunction & Compulsivity

A process addiction is a disorder that includes a compulsion to engage in a previously rewarding behavior and does not include use of a substance. Individuals continue maladaptive behaviors despite negative consequences and may not be aware the severity of the addiction. Overcoming this type of addiction is different from overcoming chemical addictions because abstinence is not always a feasible option. 

 

Clients can seek treatment for the following process addictions:

food, self-harm, sex, kleptomania, hoarding, gambling, gaming, adrenaline, shopping, lying, fantasy, electronics, and relationships

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Trauma-induced process disorders are manifested as a dysfunctional relationship with your body. It develops as a coping mechanism with a traumatic incident that cannot be emotionally processed at the time, and can result in a multitude of health problems. Trauma can be understood as an event-- or series of events --that induce physiological and psychological reactions that alter an individual’s thoughts, emotions, and behavior. In relation to disordered eating, an individual that has experienced a trauma can utilize food or lack thereof to cope with the distress through control or comfort-seeking behaviors that can have detrimental psychological and physical consequences.

 

Clients can seek treatment for the following eating disorders: binge eating disorder, orthorexia, bulimia, food addiction and compulsive overeating, anorexia, body dysmorphic

disorder, and any other forms of disordered eating.

Sexual dysfunction encompass a wide range of behaviors that cause significant distress in an individual’s personal and public life and can result in problems with relationships, health, and the legal system. An individual with sexual compulsivity continues to engage in the behavior despite negative consequences. In contrast, sexual dysfunctions involve an individual’s inability to respond sexually or to experience pleasure from sex. Both types of sexual dysfunctions can stem from a traumatic experience that may or may not involve sexual acts.

 

Clients can seek treatment for the following sexual dysfunctions:

Delayed Ejaculation, Premature Ejaculation, Erectile Disorder, Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder, Female Orgasmic Disorder, Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder, Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder, and Substance-Induced Sexual Dysfunction.

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Clients can seek treatment for the following sexual addictions: 

pornography, prostitution, massage parlors, relationship addiction, high risk sexual behaviors, masturbation, emotional/physical affairs, dating sites, and relationship & love addiction (toxic sexual relationships). 

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How do I know if I have a process addiction?

  •  Have you noticed an increase in the behavior over a certain amount of time?

  •  Has the intensity of the behavior increased?

  •  Has the behavior caused interpersonal or relational problems?

  •  Has anyone else brought this behavior to your attention as being problematic?

  •  Have your moods become inconsistent, fluctuating up and down?

  •  Have you been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder?

  •  Have you continued to engage in the behavior despite negative consequences?

  •  Do you feel out of control?

  •  Have you made attempts to cut back on the behavior but were unsuccessful or the behavior transferred into something else?

  •  Do you notice that you use this behavior to alter your mood or cope with stress?

  •  Do you make excuses for the behavior or blow it off?

  •  Do you isolate yourself from friends and family?

  •  Do you feel ashamed after participating in the behavior?

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If you answered yes to at least 5 out of 13 questions, you may be struggling with a process addiction.

Please call (912-507-8576) for a free 15 minute consultation. 

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