Welcome to Episode 1 of Mental Health Rewritten!

In our season-opening episode, we confront one of the most misunderstood and stigmatized topics in mental health: sex addiction.

Through the story of Daniel — a man whose professional success masks a deep internal struggle — we explore how compulsive sexual behavior impacts relationships, careers, and personal identity.

Along the way, we challenge misconceptions about sex addiction, examine its clinical roots, and highlight the hidden pain it causes across gender lines and around the world.

Featuring clinical insights from Havi Kang, Dr. Justin Dodson, and Dr. Alexandra Katehakis, alongside research from Mayo Clinic and YouGov, we uncover:

What defines sex addiction and compulsive sexual behavior

Why shame and secrecy make healing harder

How societal stigma silences both men and women

The global scope of this often-taboo disorder

Rooted in research from the DSM-5 and ICD-11, and grounded in real-world stories, Mental Health Rewritten opens conversations where silence once reigned.

Tune in to hear how Daniel's journey toward healing begins — and how, together, we can start to rewrite the narrative about addiction, identity, and hope.

Listen now and subscribe for upcoming episodes exploring suicide, racial trauma, and more. Reminder: Mental health challenges are as real — and as serious — as physical ones. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to a mental health professional.

Mental Health Rewritten, created by the OWLS Education Company, in collaboration with The Ummah Collective Group, is hosted, written, and produced by Dominic Lawson.

Executive Producers: Kenda Lawson and Dr. Whitney Howzell Cover Art: Alexandria Eddings of Art Life Connections

Some music was provided by DJ Krate Digga of The Mighty Sound Champz Crew

Referenced & Supporting Sources

Does Society Have a Sex Addiction Problem? Mayo Clinic Health System https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/does-society-have-a-sex-addiction-problem

Is Sex Addiction a Real Disorder? Majority of Americans Believe It Is Newsweek / YouGov Poll (2018) https://www.newsweek.com/sex-addiction-real-disorder-majority-americans-believe-it-1037560

Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder in ICD-11 World Health Organization / ICD-11 Browser https://icd.who.int/browse11/l-m/en#/http://id.who.int/icd/entity/1630268048

Why Sex Addiction Was Not Included in DSM-5 APA DSM-5 Task Force Discussion via Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21934-sex-addiction

AASECT Position on Sex Addiction American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (2016) https://www.aasect.org/position-sex-addiction

Brain Activity in Sex Addiction Mirrors That of Drug Addiction Cambridge University Study (PLOS ONE, 2014) https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140711095956.htm

Is Sexual Addiction the Real Deal? UCLA Brain Study – EEG Research on Hypersexuality (2013) https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/study-casts-doubt-on-sex-addiction-246011

Sex Addiction and Childhood Trauma in Men University of Georgia, College of Education (2024) https://coe.uga.edu/news/2024-04-study-links-childhood-trauma-emotional-abuse-to-sex-addiction-in-men

Infidelity Statistics (U.S. Marriages) Cooper Trachtenberg Law Group – Updated 2024 https://www.mcooperlaw.com/infidelity-stats-2024

Compulsive Sexual Behavior and Culture – A Clinical View APA PsycNet – Middle Eastern & Global Treatment Challenges https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-89404-008

Assessment and Treatment of CSBD: A Sexual Medicine Perspective Springer / Current Sexual Health Reports https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11930-019-00189-9

Sex Addiction in the UK: Rebecca Barker's Story BBC News – Personal Narrative https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-43921760

Understanding Denial in Sexual Offending and Addictive Behavior Washington State Sex Offender Policy Board https://sgc.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/SOPB/conference2018/Borg_presentation.pdf

CDC Historical Divorce Statistics – U.S. Marriage Trends Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/95facts/fs_439s.htm

Referenced Articles & Research

Majority of Americans Believe Sex Addiction is Real – Newsweek https://www.newsweek.com/sex-addiction-real-disorder-majority-americans-believe-it-1037560

Does Society Have a Sex Addiction Problem? – Mayo Clinic Health System https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/does-society-have-a-sex-addiction-problem

UK Woman Shares Experience with Sex Addiction – BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-43921760

National Center for Health Statistics on Suicide Trends – CDC https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/95facts/fs_439s.htm

Study Links Childhood Trauma to Sex Addiction in Men – University of Georgia College of Education https://coe.uga.edu/news/2024-04-study-links-childhood-trauma-emotional-abuse-to-sex-addiction-in-men

Infidelity and Relationship Statistics (2024) – M. Cooper Law https://www.mcooperlaw.com/infidelity-stats-2024

Sex Offender Policy & Research: Compulsive Sexual Behavior – Washington State SOPB Conference https://sgc.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/SOPB/conference2018/Borg_presentation.pdf