Analysis
By Toye Faleye
The Director General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), Baltasar Ebang Engonga, has set the Internet abuzz with his sexual escapade that caught everyone by storm. Baltasar did the unthinkable. He had sexual romp with about 400 women.
To some, this despicably adulterous act, with mostly VIP women, is not reprehensible in-as-much-as the lecherous man, a perceived sex champion, only came to the rescue of women who might be sex-starved over a long period of time due to their husbands’ absence and neglect.
Others saw it as an ignoble and grotesque behaviour that should be condemned on all fronts, and as well deleted from all social media spaces in order not to expose children to immoral act.
But beyond this, Baltasar’s sexual misconduct is a mental health condition which he and others who battle such illness must be rescued from.
The inappropriate behaviour indicates that Baltasar may be suffering from Hypersexual Disorder, also known as Compulsive Sexual Behavior (CSB). This condition is a mental health issue that indicates excessive and compulsive sexual behaviour.
He definitely has difficulty controlling his sexual thoughts, urges, feelings and actions; hence he acted under impulse to satisfy his rampaging libido.
Baltasar suffers a repeated engagement in sexual activities that could result in health problems, and impair his marital, as well as spiritual lives.
He must have spent a lot of time on sexual activities, and continuing this sexual behaviour in spite of the serious physical and emotional harms this may cause him.
A person with hypersexual disorder will search for sexual content anywhere. He will engage in infidelity, have unprotected sex, and find it difficult to create cordial relationship with his spouse as a result of his inappropriate sexual conduct.
A sufferer of hypersexual disorder might have been exposed to abuse during childhood. He might have indulged in substance abuse, or have had serious mental health condition such as anxiety and depression.
Counseling/therapy
CBT
The best form of therapy to adopt for this illness is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which seeks to knock off negative thoughts.
CBT practitioners believe that negative thoughts or cognitive distortions must be challenged and replaced with more realistic thoughts that could help the maladjusted.
The therapist will encourage the mal-adjusted to do thought journaling, making a list of negative thoughts as they to his mind in torrent.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness could be used. Mindfulness is a state of remaining in the moment and noticing what operates in the environment rather than dwelling in the past. It focuses on here and now.
Spirituality
There is connection between spirituality and mental health; hence, the client will need to be attending a spiritually rewarding exercise, such as prayer sessions, singing of hymns with others in fellowship, irrespective of his religious inclination.
Relaxation/exercise/recreation
When sexually inappropriate thoughts creep to the mind, go out for relaxation, exercise and recreation. Your mind is left free of raucous things when you engage in other positive endeavors.
Control the use of sexual content
Stop watching sexual content that can arouse sexual feelings. Stop watching pornography. Stop reading literatures that arouse sexual feelings. Control what you watch on the social media. Stay away from strip clubs and bars or any other place that can arouse your sexual feelings. Also control how you use smart phones.
Treat depression
Treat thought patterns in depression, like: ‘I must,’ ‘I should,’ or ‘I ought to.’ Make a list of thoughts recording in order to identify cognitive distortions that must be tackled.
Thoughts Acceptance and Commitment
Accept your thoughts and urges, but commit plan to deal with them.
Self-help group
Plan to seek help through self-help group that will understand your condition. The group will learn about the condition, offer support, help find out other treatments, and help guard against relapse.
Problem-solving skills
Learn to use problem-solving skills to tackle challenges, identifying the problem if even it can’t be solved at that moment. A counselor or therapist will work you through this.
Last lines
It’s essential to approach this issue with empathy and understanding, recognizing that Hypersexual Disorder is a mental health condition requiring professional help.
Baltasar’s actions, while harmful, may be a symptom of a deeper issue, and seeking treatment could be the first step towards healing and recovery.
Toye Faleye, the Executive Editor of The Digger News, is a media and journalism professional who also works as a counselor and therapist.
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