Patient discussions
Patients are told that improvements in sexual function occur when the woman and her partner make a concerted effort to challenge their usual sexual patterns. Challenging irrational thoughts (i.e., myths) requires an active awareness of such thoughts and an effort to replace them with more balanced ways of thinking. Self-help workbooks in cognitive therapy (e.g., 'Mind over mood' for challenging depressive thoughts) can be a helpful guide.[175] Behavioural change, including recognising a woman's own maladaptive behaviour styles (e.g., avoidance, arguing, purposeful sabotaging of sexual response by distraction), also require a woman's awareness and willingness to change. Cognitive behavioural therapy records, which require a woman to document her thoughts, behaviours, and affect in a sexual scenario, can be extremely helpful. References to relevant books on mindfulness are also often recommended (e.g., 'Wherever you go, there you are'; 'Full catastrophe living'; 'The miracle of mindfulness'; 'The mindfulness solution').[176][177][178][179] Scheduling time to practise assigned exercises is essential, and recognition of the potential barriers to practice is also very important. Patients should be told that one of the best predictors of improvement in sexual function is motivation.[180]
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