CONDIT – A profile of Sexual Addiction?

Pressbox (Press Release) - os Angeles -Sexual Addiction is not a character problem, it's a behavior that a person goes through continually despite their knowledge of the consequences of their actions. “One of the criteria of sex addiction is that you see the risks and do it anyway --Knowing it will be a disaster won't stop you.''
This according to Los Angeles Psychologist Robert R. Butterworth, Ph.D. responding to California Congressman Gary Condit, admitting to police that he had been having an affair with Chandra Levy -After insisting in previous statements that the two had only been good friends, Condit, who at the same time he was seeing Chandra also allegedly had an affair with United Airlines flight attendant Anne Marie Smith.
The psychologist reviewed the research on sexual addiction and concludes that this sexual behavior
smacks of addiction “It’s a serious psychological disability like alcoholism and not a disorder of character as described in the media. He needs treatment not banishment from Congress.” Says Butterworth

Sexual compulsives (as opposed to deviants), are usually middle-aged high-achievers who are chronic womanizers. They're obsessively preoccupied with the next sexual encounter, the next, always-brief affair. More than 75 per cent are married. “They may be adults in age, but emotionally they don't grow up. They work hard on the job, but they're psychologically impaired.” According to Butterworth.
“Research indicates that these, sexual addicts have a lot of anger and anxiety. Most of them are depressed and many were physically or emotionally abandoned by their parents.” Butterworth says, adding, “Sexual addiction is a sickness, not a chosen lifestyle, and its symptoms and stigma plagues its victims.”
These Sexual risk-takers believe they can flout the rules and remain immune to consequences, Their compulsive sex is primarily used to fulfill unconscious needs born in childhood. Failure to bond is the norm.
“Sex addiction stems from a search for nurturing without the risk of intimacy or trust. Stereotypes can often encourage male sex addicts to deny their problem yet some experts say that up to percent of the population is grappling with sexual addiction.” According to Butterworth
Even if the addict can see past the stereotypes and seek treatment for their problem, highly sexual images constantly projected through movies, television, magazines and the Internet make it very difficult to keep their preoccupations in check so ongoing treatment is necessary.

Psychologist and media commentator, Robert R. Butterworth, Ph.D., has assisted radio, TV, and print media since 1984 find answers and provide insight to enhance understanding of psychological issues on a variety of topics. Dr. Butterworth has conducted extensive surveys focused on children and youth, social, political and trauma issues. His comments, observations and op-ed articles have appeared in most of the major newspapers in the United States and worldwide.He is seen quite often on NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX and CNN network news especially during monumental events such as violence, disasters and youth tragedies and psychological reactions to breaking news and human event stories.

Appearances also include ABC's Nightline, and This Week, CNN's Larry King Live, NBC's, Oprah, Dateline NBC, and Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, The O'Reilly, Factor, Extra and Entertainment Tonight. and many network talk and news programs. He is also featured as a psychology expert in various documentaries seen on Discovery, History. E Entertainment ,and the Learning Channel. Dr Butterworth also serves as a psychology expert for public relations organizations and is a past consultant for TEEN Magazine.