Definition
Porn addiction is defined as “a compulsive need to view pornography despite its negative consequences on the individual’s life and state of wellbeing.” It could be argued that it is a type of hypersexual behavioral disorder, which is similar to excessive masturbation and cybersex.
The difference between having an avid interest in porn and porn addiction is the detrimental effect it can have on the individual’s life – by spending unhealthy amounts of time engaging in porn in lieu of socializing, going to work, completing important tasks etc., the individual can compromise their career, relationships and overall health.
The idea of individuals being addicted to porn is a rather contentious issue among health and psychiatric professionals as there’s debate about whether it can be classified as a true “addiction” but those that do suffer from it often show signs and symptoms that are not dissimilar to behavioral addictions.
Studies imply that around 3% to 6% of adults suffer from porn addiction and the demographic tends to be young adult males who are more affected, which may be unsurprising considering how 86% to 96% of men regularly engage in porn. Other predictors that may lead to the abuse of porn include being in a negative or depressive mood, frequent internet use, religiousness, and sexual boredom.
Signs
Signs that someone may have an unhealthy relationship with porn can include:
- Spending a lot of money to obtain pornographic material, sometimes at the expense of necessities such as paying rent, utilities, buying food etc.
- Partaking in risky sexual behaviors such as watching porn at work, on public transit etc.
- Using porn as a crutch to deal with other mental, emotional, and physical issues
- Losing sense of time when engaging in porn
- Being unable to quit consuming porn despite attempts to
- Exhibiting secretive behaviors when it comes to their porn watching habits
- Decreased or avoiding intimacy with their partner
- Decreased satisfaction from sex with their partner
Effects
One theory on why it may be easy to become addicted to porn is due to its easy accessibility – porn can be obtained for free on numerous online websites.
Studies have also argued that excessive consumption of porn can result in changes to brain behavior, particularly the brain’s reward pathways. Such brain behavioral changes have also been observed in people with substance and gambling addictions.
One obvious consequence of porn addiction is how it can affect intimacy between partners – the sufferer tends to develop secretive and depressive traits and can be less affectionate and intimate. This may be a result of the type of porn consumed – men, especially those suffering from porn addiction, tend to favor less affectionate and “vanilla” genres of pornography.
A knock-on effect of being less intimate and affectionate with their partner is that the partner’s self-esteem may take a blow. They may question their ability to satisfy their partner in bed, whether their partner loves them and wants to be with them etc.
Another serious consequence of porn addiction is how it affects the sufferer’s daily life – individuals addicted to porn may shuck their employment duties, daily routines, family life etc. in favor of watching porn. This can result in the sufferer being fired from work, causing strain in their relationships, and affecting their overall health.
Lastly, addiction to porn may encourage and exacerbate mental health issues. Studies indicate that having a heightened appetite for pornography has had a correlation with anxiety disorders, which can in turn trigger mood disorders and risky behaviors such as substance abuse.
Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no one standard or universal treatment for porn addiction, due in part to medical professionals currently debating on whether or not it can be medically classified as an addiction. That being said, there are a few treatments and strategies that can be employed to help victims of porn addiction.
One such treatment is psychotherapy or talk therapy, which is the use of psychological methods to help an individual change troubling thoughts, opinions, and behaviors. For sufferers of porn addiction, psychotherapy can help a person understand their relationship with porn, identify and address sexual needs and desires, and to develop strategies and coping mechanisms for overcoming psychological distress.
Another potential treatment is for both the sufferer and their partner to go to couples therapy to discuss their relationship, values, if and whether porn can have a healthy place in their relationship, and to foster better overall communication.
A third potential treatment would be medication. For certain sufferers of porn addiction, porn serves as a crutch to cope with underlying mental and emotional issues and identifying these underlying issues and addressing them with the correct medication(s) may also address their porn addiction.
Lastly, making lifestyle changes with the help of a professional may help those suffering from porn addiction. Studies imply that people sometimes fixate on consuming porn due to boredom or exhaustion; so adopting a healthier, less sedentary lifestyle may help with their porn addiction.
Conclusion
In sum, porn addiction, despite what some health professionals argue, is a serious issue that can have a debilitating effect on an individual’s life, career, and relationships. Luckily, there are various treatments and strategies that sufferers of porn addiction can use in order to get their lives back on track.
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