The term ‘Porn Addiction’ is often misunderstood by many people. It conjures imagery of someone who never leaves the home, is not in a meaningful relationship, and who lives on the outskirts of society. The truth is, with the easy access to pornography via the internet, anyone can develop and suffer from an addiction to pornography.
Porn addiction is actually a form of compulsive behavior in which people are unable to prevent themselves from seeking or viewing explicit material, and does not necessarily involve the inclusion of physical acts such as maturbation. A porn addiction isn’t always rooted in a sexual desire and can be developed as a response to stress in one’s life.
Science has proven that viewing pornography stimulates a chemical response in the brain, similar to what is experienced by others that suffer from other maladaptive coping disorders. In this way, an addiction to porn functions the same way as overeating, alcohol, drug use or other compulsive behaviors.
Many porn addicts feel conflicted and carry a great deal of shame regarding their behaviors, making it difficult to treat. With the knowledge that porn addiction is similar to other recognized cognitive disorders, it’s hopeful that more people can recieve treatment and recover.
A further problem with treating porn addiction is lack of recognition to the harmful effects of compulsive pornography viewing. Sufferers may experience any of the following detrimental effects of their addiction:
- Damage to personal relationships.
- Feelings of shame, depression and isolation.
- Loss of productive hours.
- Loss of interest in things that are not pornography related.
- Trouble concentrating on non-pornography related tasks, resulting in lowered work or school performance.
- Legal problems related to porn use.
- Financial issues related to the purchase of pornography related subscription services or loss of job for viewing pornography during working hours.
- Physical injury if their porn addiction includes the use of compulsive masturbation.
- Sexual dysfunction with real-life partners such as erectile dysfunction, inability to orgasm, and delayed ejaculation.
As you can see, porn addiction is a real disorder that carries very concerning consequences for sufferers. Many people may wonder how they can tell the difference between a porn addict and a casual viewer of pornography materials. Here are some symptoms of porn addiction:
- An increase in pornography use.
- Seeking more bizarre and extreme sexually explicit material.
- Continuing to view pornography after a significant other has discussed their discomfort with it, or following reprimand at work.
- The desire to take actions or taking actions to hide your pornography use from others.
- Irrational anger or emotional response when confronted about your porn use.
- Seeking to escalate impersonal pornography use with real life encounters via prostitution or other means.
If you have any of the above symptoms, it’s important to seek help. There are treatments that can help you confront and recover from your pornography addiction. Although you may feel ashamed and embarrassed, remember that pornography addiction is a real disorder and you are not alone in your addiction.
The widespread use of the internet has broadened people’s ability to easily access pornography online, which has increased the number of people that seek out and use pornography on a daily basis. The General Social Survey found a 16 percent increase in pornography use between 1970 and the 2000’s, primarily through internet use.
According to a survey by the Kinsey Institute, 9 percent of respondents said they were unable to control their porn viewing and had tried unsuccessfully to cease their actions. Around 40 million Americans regularly view pornography on the internet, and U.S. based internet pornography is a business that generates $2.84 billion annually.
Pornography addiction isn’t just a disorder that affects men. While 26 percent of men admit to searching and viewing pornography at work, 13 percent of women do as well, according to the blog Guy Stuff Counseling. Any gender can have difficulties with porn addiction.
In fact, porn addiction among women is a growing concern, according to Jeff Logue, PH.D. He published his findings in a Thought Hub article that stated 70 percent of women hide their internet activities due to pornography use, and 17 percent of those women struggle with controlling their internet pornography use.
Obviously, the advent of the internet and its ability to allow users to easily access pornography is a concern. For those that are attempting to avoid pornography use, it can just be too tempting. For those that are in the grips of a pornography addiction, there are few deterrents or difficulties to finding pornography.
There is an increase of awareness to pornography addiction and the harmful effects that can result. While pornography addiction wasn’t included in the most recent publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the inclusion of compulsive sexual activities was.
This is a step to recognizing all compulsive sexual behavior and formulating treatment for pornography addictions to help sufferers. If pornography addiction is affecting your life, there are avenues that can help.
