Fighting a Sexual Compulsion
Dr Phil McGraw Explores Exhibitionism
Feb 9, 2007 Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen
Thomas' psychological disorder or sexual compulsion is over, as he insisted on the Dr Phil McGraw Show. Thomas was an exhibitionist who exposed himself to 50,000 women over 30 years. He said that during his experience with sexual compulsion, 10% of women had sex with him, 20% thanked him, 20% gave him oral sex, and 20% masturbated him (giving Thomas a sexual experience with around 4,000 women).
How this exhibitionist expressed his sexual compulsion
On the Dr Phil show, he revealed how he'd sit beside beautiful women on the bus and expose himself; he had a positive reaction 70% of the time. The negative reactions led to three felony convictions and been imprisoned ten times. This sexual compulsion seemed to benefit Thomas a great deal.
Thomas said he chose exhibitionism to meet his needs because he experienced a trauma in his childhood. His brain developed a coping skill, and his exposure disorder or sexual compulsion resulted. Thomas didn't have a close relationship with his mother, and now wants to have an intimate relationship with a woman who doesn't know about his struggles with his exposure disorder.
His girlfriend is 18 years old; he's 46.
Thomas' two reasons for exposing his sexual compulsion on the Dr Phil Show
1. Helping others with sexual compulsion. Over the past two years, his obsession or sexual compulsion lifted and he hasn't had a single exhibitionist urge. He wants to use his past experience to help other people because this type of sexual compulsion or exhibitionism is very difficult to overcome, especially when there's the occasional payoff of sex. He felt hopeless and attempted suicide when he was in the throes of his exposure disorder or sexual compulsion.
Dr Phil indicated that the failure rate for this type of addictive behavior is extremely high – about 85%. Thomas wants other people to know they can overcome their sexual compulsions – no matter how hopeless they feel. He doesn't regret what he's done because it's given him the opportunity to help people with exposure disorders now.
2. Telling his girlfriend about fighting a sexual compulsion. Thomas wants to know how he can tell his girlfriend he's serious about their relationship. He didn't want to tell her about his sexual compulsion too soon, and didn't feel obligated to tell her about his exposure disorder. Thomas requested Dr Phil's help in telling his girlfriend about his exhibitionism and time in prison. To feel safe revealing his sexual compulsion, Thomas need Dr Phil's support.
Confessing the need to fight a sexual compulsion
On the show, Thomas revealed his exposure disorder to his girlfriend in the green room offstage. Though shocked, she still wanted to be with him despite his sexual compulsion. She believed him when he said his addictive behavior is over.
The show was peppered with conflict between Dr Phil McGraw and Thomas. Thomas accused Dr Phil of not believing him about the exposure disorder - which Dr Phil readily admitted. They went head to head about the number of women Thomas was with, his real motives for being on the show, and his arrogance.
Those struggling with an exposure disorder would benefit from the Sexual Compulsives Anonymous website.
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