PSYCHOLOGICALLY BASED TREATMENT FOR MALE ERECTILE DISORDER - A COGNITIVE-INTERPERSONAL MODEL

Treatment approaches for male erectile disorder (MED) have proliferate d in recent years. Due to the growing emphasis on medical or surgical approaches to treatment, however, there has been a relative neglect of the psychological or interpersonal dimensions of the problem. The pre sent article describes a five-part model for time-limited, cognitive-i nterpersonal treatment Of male erectile disorder. Key elements of the model are: psychoeducational and cognitive intervention; sexual and pe rformance anxiety reduction; script assessment and modification; confl ict resolution and relationship enhancement; and relapse prevention tr aining. Although intended primarily for use with psychogenic erectile dysfunction in intact couples, the model can be applied to single male s or those with organically based erectile difficulties. Several case examples are provided and the limitations of the model are discussed.