Compulsive sexual behavior disorder in an inpatient sample with substance use disorder.

Background: Several studies indicate that compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) shares core elements with substance use disorder (SUD). These findings support the assumption of common mechanisms in addiction, which may lead to a higher tendency in patients with SUD to have comorbid CSBD. Nevertheless, this relationship between CSBD and SUD is poorly understood to date.

Two subtypes of compulsive sexual behavior disorder.

Models explaining addictive behaviors such as the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) model emphasize the importance of reinforcement mechanisms for developing and maintaining these behaviors, including compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) as well as personal characteristics as vulnerability factors. This study aimed to determine whether there are CSBD subtypes distinguished by reinforcement sensitivity. We hypothesize that one subtype is sensitive to positive reinforcement (Csubtype) and one is sensitive to negative reinforcement (Ȼsubtype).

Effects of Depression on Processing and Evaluation of Sexual Stimuli in Women.

Background: Sexual dysfunctions are commonly associated with depression by which women are particularly affected.

Aim: In the following study, we looked at which stage-early attention-related processes or later evaluation-related processes-of the processing of sexual stimuli deviations occur in depressed individuals.

Methods: We examined 96 women who either suffered from a major depressive disorder, or had recovered from it, and a healthy control group.

Subjective reward value of visual sexual stimuli is coded in human striatum and orbitofrontal cortex.

Human neuroimaging research suggests the existence of one core network for the subjective valuation of rewards, including the striatum and orbitofrontal cortex. However, there is little research on the neural representation of subjective reward values of visual sexual stimuli (VSS) and on the role of these subjective valuations in the development of related addictive behaviors. Here, we investigate how neural reactivity to VSS is connected to individual preference using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Effects of acute psychosocial stress on the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis in healthy women.

Objective: The individual set point of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis is largely genetically determined. Apart from this genetic predisposition, the HPT axis may also be malleable to environmental demands such as psychosocial stress. Indeed, previous research has indicated that critical life events often precede the onset of autoimmune thyroid diseases, and subtle abnormalities in HPT functioning are present in some patients with stress-related disorders such as depression.

Effects of cognitive-behavioral stress management training in individuals with functional somatic symptoms - an exploratory randomized controlled trial.

Stress is discussed as a risk factor in the manifestation and maintenance of functional somatic (FS) symptoms. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding the effects of cognitive-behavioral stress management training (CBSM) on FS symptoms and the (potentially mediating) role of the neuroendocrine system. This study aims to examine stress-related psychological and neuroendocrine changes after receiving a brief CBSM in individuals with FS symptoms.

Thyroid Functioning and Fatigue in Women With Functional Somatic Syndromes - Role of Early Life Adversity.

Fatigue is a core feature of functional somatic syndromes (FSS). Fatigue is also prominent in patients with thyroid diseases, which is unsurprising given the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis in regulating physiological energy demands. Research in healthy women has shown that early life adversity is linked with alterations in the HPT axis.

Endocrine dysregulation in women with irritable bowel syndrome according to Rome II criteria.

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.

Distress criterion influences prevalence rates of functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Background: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) are defined by a combination of chronic or recurrent gastrointestinal symptoms. Prevalence rates of FGID are high. Symptoms are associated with distress, and sufferers show high stress levels.