What Is The Meaning Of Porn Addiction
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An early career psychiatrist with extensive experience in general adult psychiatry, relationship issues, psychosexual problems & special interest in sexual medicine, disorders with addictive behaviours and Obsessive Compulsive disorders. He is an astute physician with excellent academic record and research experience. He is also a member of World Health Organisation and World Psychiatric Association. His vision and goal for Allo is an inclusive, accessible digital health clinic for psychosexual difficulties.
Shivani Anil holds a master's in clinical psychology and is an author with a keen interest in the intersection of sexual and mental health. She has also presented a paper at the International Conference on Counseling, Psychotherapy and Wellness, demonstrating her expertise. Shivani discovered her love for writing at the age of 12 and has since won multiple awards for creative writing. She served as an editorial member for several school and university magazines. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, is a culinary enthusiast, and is dedicated to exploring the connections between emotional well-being and intimate relationships in her work.
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Updated on 20 November, 2023
- Article was updated as part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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Pornography has been part of human curiosity for a while now, although it, at times, has been smeared with stigma and controversy. Porn is most commonly used as part of an individual’s fantasy, along with helping with sexual arousal, masturbation, and sexual intercourse. When we say ‘Porn Addiction,’ it immediately has a negative annotation, however, it is important to know that porn, with some individuals and couples, is part of healthy sex life. While preference is another story, let’s divulge into the specifics of porn addiction. How does it start? What makes it addictive? Does it have long-term negative consequences?
Pornography Addiction
Porn addiction refers to a person becoming excessively dependent on pornography leading to a disruption in their everyday life. This could include losing track of time, disruptions to their job, relationships and at times, their day-to-day lifestyle.
Addiction to porn can negatively impact an individual’s sex life. For example, it can lead to less satisfying sexual experiences and having high and unreasonable expectations from their partner. In cases likes these, it is advisable to seek the help of medical professionals who will help develop a treatment plan.
Fact: Porn addiction is not an official diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders- V (DSM- V). For this reason, there are differences in how different mental health professionals define the criteria for the same.
Learn about the potential causes or contributing factors to issues related to pornography use here.
Porn Addiction Indicators
Negative Impact On Life
An addiction of any sort can cause a negative impact on an individuals life – especially those that are coping with mental health disorders. Porn addiction is a type of behavioral addiction and its not necessarily deemed a hypersexual disorder of sorts. The behaviours that individuals engage in is considered to be called addictive behaviors – a compulsive pattern – which can interfere with daily life. It can impact an individuals job, intimate relationships, finances, etc – it can affect quality of life.
Feelings Of Shame & Guilt
One of the signs of porn addiction is the commonly felt feelings on shame or guilt after engaging in porn excessively. Some individuals comprehend that they have a “problem” but are unable to understand what to do about it. This results in feelings of insecurity and dishonesty.
Dependency On Porn
Most individuals diagnosed with porn addiction experience the inability to quit the addiction because there are emotionally dependent on porn. The dependency, in some ways, can be related to those that have an alcohol addiction or experience substance use disorders – they want to stop, but are unable to – they experience a lack or loss of control.
Coping Mechanisms
When an addiction such as with porn develops, oftentimes, individuals use engaging in porn to cope with their feelings related to something in their life. These could include trying to cope with psychological distress, physical distress, financial hardships, emotional distress etc.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Those that are diagnosed with porn addiction can experience withdrawal symptoms that can be portrayed emotionally or through behaviors. These show up when they try to reduce the time they spend engaging in porn or stop it completely.
Symptoms Of Porn Addiction
Porn Addiction Behavioral Symptoms
Porn addiction is considered to be behavioral addiction. For context, other addictions in this category include gambling addiction, and addiction eating. Those with porn addiction are unable to stop themselves from porn viewing – a specific behavior. There are various signs of porn addiction or indicators of porn addiction that can be deeply rooted in behavioral aspects.
While symptoms may not be the right word for it, there are ways that professionals are able to diagnose porn addiction. Read more about how to identify signs of porn addiction here.
Substance Addiction And Pornography Addiction
When viewing pornography excessively, many individuals feel embarrassed, guilty or ashamed – these feelings end up becoming internalised. Due to the mental effects caused by porn addiction, it is common for individuals to seek relief through substance abuse. With most common recreational drugs such as weed, feelings of overwhelming anxiety can disappear.
Furthermore, the use of substances or drugs can also help the pleasure aspect when an individual engages in porn. Recreational drugs have the ability to increase feelings of euphoria, and excitement – making pleasure all the more attainable.
Compulsive Behaviors vs. Repetitive Behaviors
Is engaging in porn excessively an addiction or compulsion? Where do repetitive behaviors come in? It can be challenging to understand how addictions are viewed, as they can fall into many different categories based on their symptoms and effects. However, we can break it down for you in regards to compulsive pornography.
Compulsions are considered to be described as the uncontrollable urge to repetitive behaviors to calm obsessive thoughts. For better context, some examples of compulsions include washing your hands many times or wanting a certain order in things.
However it is important to remember that while compulsion refers to an uncontrollable urge to perform a certain behavior, addiction is the combination of compulsion and the lack of control.
Porn Addiction vs. Sex Addiction
Is pornography addiction and sexual addiction the same thing? Can one lead to another?
While it can be said that both addictions have a lot in common when it comes to negative effects, there are differences to keep in mind. It is also not certain that every individual with one of these addictions will end up experiencing the other.
Some of the differences between both addictions include:
- Sex addiction involves individuals, while porn addiction involves screen time
- Due to the blurred expectations of sex that porn addiction can cause, those with the condition commonly experience sexual performance concerns.
- With sex addiction involving multiple sexual partners or high risk behavior there are increased risk of acquiring STIs and STDs, unwanted pregnancies and even trouble with the law.
Porn Addiction And Expectations Of Sex
The digital word of pornography or erotic material doesn’t run on the way real life works. It’s a performance done by skilled actors – however, the effects that these images and videos can have on an individual’s sexual growth can be dire.
The elaborate and intense way that porn is portrayed can skew the way an individual views sex. After being used to explicit material, individuals can begin to have unrealistic expectations of sex from their real life partners.
Porn Addiction And Mental Health Conditions
It has suggested that there is a correlation between an addiction to porn and mental health conditions. The following three in particular:
- Mood disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Personality disorders
The psychological effects of addiction to porn can be significant, and in particular can lead to reduced cognitive function, depression and anxiety. In fact, research studies suggests that over 50% of men that engage in porn have realised that it has caused both psychological and behavioral consequences.
Porn Addiction Treatment
Therapy
Psychological counselling from licensed therapists for porn addiction is considered to one of the effective treatment methods. Porn can cause and lead to many negative effects and due to the fact that it involves compulsive behavior patterns, the goal is to modify it.
Fact: Addiction to porn and other related sexual dysfunctions can co-occur with mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety.
Some types of therapies that help with porn addiction include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or Family Therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Behavior Modification
- Support Groups
- Medication Combined Therapy
More on porn addiction treatment here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does early exposure to pornography lead to porn addiction?
A: Early exposure to porn can lead to unrealistic expectations of sex – whether related to intercourse, personal pleasure or even growth. The act of engaging in porn can become addictive, especially to a brain that isn’t fully matured. The release of dopamine and endorphins when engaging in porn induced pleasure, creates a high that individuals become dependent on.
Q: Does the desire for sex (low sexual desire or low libido) reduce in those with porn addiction?
A: While it is not true that everyone with a porn addiction develops a low desire for sex, the condition can cause low libido yes. When an individual becomes used to receiving sexual pleasure from porn, they can become disinterested in what their partner(s) offers with regards to pleasure during sexual activity. Again, this has to do with the unrealistic expectations of real life sex induced by excessive porn conditioning.
Q: Are porn addiction and compulsive sexual behavior the same?
A: The two are related, however, not the same. Porn addiction refers specifically to an addictive reliance on porn while compulsive sexual behavior encompasses a broad range of sexual activities beyond just porn.
Q: What are the effects of porn addiction on mental health?
A: Porn addiction can potentially have various effects on mental health. It’s important to note that individual experiences may vary, but some common effects may include:
- Distorted Sexual Perception: Excessive exposure to pornography may contribute to unrealistic expectations about sex and relationships.
- Anxiety and Depression: Some individuals may experience heightened levels of anxiety or depression related to their use of pornography, especially if it interferes with daily functioning.
- Impact on Intimate Relationships: Porn addiction can lead to difficulties in forming or maintaining intimate relationships, with potential effects on communication and trust.
- Decreased Sexual Satisfaction: Excessive reliance on pornography may contribute to decreased satisfaction with real-life sexual experiences.
- Cognitive Distortions: Persistent use may contribute to distorted thinking patterns, affecting self-esteem and overall mental well-being.
