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These core beliefs provide the structure for many particular errors in thinking.
Cognitive errors distort the experience of the sexual addict to conform to the shameful core beliefs. The particular errors also screen out any new, potentially corrective information. For example, the sexual addict who fundamentally believes that "no one will love me the way I really am" will set up relationships so that there is ample evidence of rejection of the true self and support for the false, public self.
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...difficulty differentiating their emotions from their sense of self. Such individuals may translate “I feel bad” to “I’m worthless.” Cognitive distortions like these are amplified when uncomfortable or awkward feelings such as frustration, disappointment, anger, rejection, or inadequacy surface. In order to avoid or escape emotional discomfort, individuals may turn to sex as a way of self-medicating or soothing themselves.
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