In the psychiatric and therapy fields, there is a lot of debate about whether or not behavioral addictions like porn addiction are “real” addictions. While some addictions, such as gambling addiction, are considerably more accepted than others, such as sex addiction, medical professionals are divided on where addictions end and compulsions begin. What are the symptoms of porn addiction? So read on to find out.
Regardless, people are hurting. So, regardless of whether it is an addiction or a compulsion, you should seek treatment. Porn addiction, or the inability to stop watching porn, is one of the most commonly reported addictions. However, much like any other addiction, some symptoms indicate you may have a porn addiction problem. If you are wondering whether your excessive porn use progresses to the point of obsession, it is critical to be aware of the symptoms of porn addiction.
Why is Porn Addictive?
With over 2.8 billion searches yearly, “porn” is the most popular search phrase behind Google, YouTube, and Facebook. With its high level of exposure and availability, it is difficult to avoid porn’s existence on the internet these days.
Porn is also more socially acceptable than it was 50 years ago and may be part of a healthy sex life for most individuals. However, for some people, it can develop into a crippling behavioral addiction that impacts everyday life.
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Porn stimulates the pleasure and reward centers of the brain, triggering the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, which govern mood and happiness. When someone experiences pornography regularly, whether physically or mentally, their brains produce more of the neurotransmitter dopamine; because of this, the brain can’t make enough of the chemical on its own, so it starts to depend on porn to make it feel good.
Dependence is the path to addiction, and the more serious the addiction develops as the negative consequences of porn dependence accumulate.
Symptoms of Porn Addiction
The signs and symptoms listed below explain hazardous practices associated with a porn addiction that should be monitored. No single description proves addiction. If any of these apply to you, you are not a porn addict, but you should reconsider your use.
#1. Erectile dysfunction
Your sexual health cues are one of the most evident symptoms that porn addiction has become a problem. Men’s sexual function naturally declines as they age. However, being able to obtain an erection when watching pornography but not with a real-life partner is not healthy. If this occurs, the reward circuit in your brain is acting against you. As a result, many men experience issues such as premature ejaculation, inability to achieve or maintain an erection for sex, or loss of feeling during sex.
While having a compulsive illness can throw many people into a tailspin, the best way to see the changes you want is to seek help from a mental healthcare specialist specializing in treating sexual difficulties. Begin by speaking with a trusted friend, a counselor, or your primary care physician. They have considerably less power over you once you begin to bring your issues to light.
#2. You hide your habits obsessively.
Another obvious sign of porn addiction is feeling constantly on the verge of being caught watching porn. Going to the restroom late at night or early in the morning, or slipping off during work hours, are signs that you may have a porn or sex addiction.
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It’s easy to blame other people for having to hide what you’re doing, telling yourself that it’s just because they’re too sensitive. When you carefully consider your conduct, you realize it has crossed a boundary from healthy to detrimental.
#3. Overwhelming guilt
Guilt is a hazardous emotion that can lead to a never-ending cycle of internet porn addiction. Some people develop behavioral habits to mask difficult emotions or to divert themselves from life’s realities. The unintended effect of compulsive behavior is that it nearly always makes you feel worse. To conceal this, you slide deeper into the depths of addiction. Addiction treatment is often the only way for many to end the cycle of guilt, shame, and acting out.
#4. Your porn use is escalating
Escalation is a symptom of a hypersexual condition or any other sort of addiction. With drugs and alcohol, this is illustrated by the urge to consume larger amounts of substances more frequently.
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Porn addiction frequently begins with the growing frequency of viewing pornography, but it can also progress to illegal or extreme porn or porn that contradicts your value system. As your brain becomes accustomed to seeing porn, it seeks more intense stimulation, which might lead to a need for more than your brain becomes accustomed to that degree of stimulation.
#5. You blame your partner
Most people with an addiction are in denial, especially in the pre-contemplation stage of change. One facet of this that can strain relationships is blaming your partner for your excessive porn consumption. Your explanation could be that they refuse to do specific sex acts or that they annoy you, but you know deep down that your use has become compulsive.
#6. You’ve lost interest
It is also normal for those suffering from porn addiction to lose attraction to their partner. This is because people become so accustomed to the unattainable notions of beauty they see on television that a person in real life no longer fulfills their expectations. Conditioning your brain to experience arousal with specific beauty standards and images can make it tough for your brain to access desire with real-life partners.
#7. Anger is becoming an issue
Many persons who suffer from substance abuse or behavioral addiction also suffer from anger. Addiction rewires the brain circuits that control pleasure, reward, motivation, and mood. By constantly devoting your desire and attention to one object, you deplete your stocks of important regulatory neurotransmitters and expose yourself to negative feelings.
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#8. There are problems at home and work
If your career and/or home life are suffering from your online pornography use, this is a strong indication that it is out of control. If the amount of time you spend watching porn is disproportionate to your duties, it’s time to seek professional assistance.
#9. Your spending is increasing.
Process addictions may not appear to be as damaging as drug use disorders on the surface, yet they can rip your life apart. People who have completely lost control can spend hundreds of dollars each month searching for their next dose.
Many people who see symptoms of porn addiction in their lives tell themselves that they are entirely in control, but honestly, someone who controls their actions would not spend so much money on such a thin reward.
#10. You’ve lost interest in activities you used to enjoy.
Anhedonia, or lack of interest, is included as a sign of addiction in the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and porn addiction is no exception. Because your brain focuses on one form of reward, even things you used to enjoy may appear less appealing than spending time online viewing X-rated images and movies.
Is there hope for porn addiction?
If you recognize any of the following symptoms in yourself or a loved one, you likely have a porn addiction or are at least becoming dependent on pornography. But don’t despair if you have a porn addiction; treatment and therapy are available to help.
While the American Psychiatric Association (APA) does not recognize porn addiction, many mental health specialists and physicians argue for its inclusion in the forthcoming edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This is because the behavioral changes that occur when someone has a processing disorder; with pornography are similar to those seen in people with substance use disorders.
Fortunately, as more medical specialists recognize porn addiction, the sophistication and availability of treatment are increasing. Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectal Behavior Therapy (DBT), counseling, and hypnotherapy are just a few of the therapeutic options available to persons suffering from a porn use issue.
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If you are not ready to meet other people and openly discuss your pornography addiction, secure online therapy portals such as Talkspace can provide a discreet platform to talk to someone and determine if you require assistance.
Can You Spot the Symptoms of Porn Addiction?
When you no longer have control over your behavior, watching porn can be just as destructive as drug or alcohol addiction. If you are concerned about your sexual behavior or exhibit some of the symptoms of porn addiction listed in this article, mental health experts who have been trained to work with compulsive sexual behavior can assist you in resetting your relationship with sex. Learn more about overcoming porn addiction and begin your recovery path today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is porn addiction?
Porn addiction is the abusive usage of pornography. The porn addict can’t control the compulsion and maintains damaging activities. Porn addicts are alone with only the computer for company. Porn addicts lose closeness by objectifying the actors.
How is it possible to become addicted to porn?
Repeated exposure to compelling pictures, like porn, can cause obsessive cravings. This urge causes compulsive behavior that’s hard to stop. Addicts can’t cease compulsive conduct despite bad consequences. For some, porn addiction is a question of exposure.
I struggle with pornography; does that make me a sex addict?
No. Some watch porn without engaging in it. For many, porn and sex addiction are similar. Seeking a high to avoid sensations is usually an addiction, alone or with others. Porn addiction rarely occurs without obsessive sexual thoughts or acts.
Do I have to tell my partner if I’m addicted to pornography?
Your partner’s option. Most seek treatment after their double existence is discovered. Getting caught causes much anguish. To stop porn, get treatment now. A sex addiction therapist is trained in the disclosure process.
