The availability of pornographic material on the internet has contributed to a rise in addiction rates. At the same time, the images are becoming more extreme and disconnected from reality. Porn consumption changes the brain in ways that trigger addiction. When viewing pornography becomes compulsive, it starts to replace the need for healthy relationships, consensual sexual activity, and emotional connection.
As with many other kinds of addiction, porn addiction develops gradually. What started as a way to get a jolt of excitement every once in a while has become a staple of your daily routine. Your emotions have slowly shifted from curiosity to guilt, anxiety, or shame.
You worry excessively about what others around you may think if they knew what you were doing with your time. Most of all, you feel as if you have completely lost control of your life.
This emotional spiral is one of the many signs of porn addiction. Here are a few more scenarios that could indicate that you are addicted to porn.
Warning Signs of Porn Addiction
Porn is affecting your sex life
Pornography isn’t a realistic depiction of sex. Unfortunately, if you are addicted to porn, you may start to compare your sexual experiences against those you see on screen.
Porn often portrays sex as an unemotional or even demeaning act. This can affect how you interact with your partner. You may withdraw from them emotionally or lose interest in sex altogether. Your partner may sense this and start to become distant, angry, or hurt.
Porn addiction can lead to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and shame. You may resent your partner for not aligning with your unreasonable expectations. Alternatively, your shame may drive you to conceal your behavior from your partner. Your secretive behavior can wear away trust and intimacy in your relationship.
Porn addiction can completely devastate a relationship. A knowledgeable therapist can help you rebuild the bond between you and your partner. Get in touch with the compassionate staff at Peter Stathakos and Associates to learn more about our client-centered therapeutic approach.
You find it more difficult to get aroused
Pornography activates many of the same neural pathways as addictive drugs and floods the brain with dopamine. As your porn viewing increases, you will need to consume more extreme material to get the same rush.
You may also have difficulty feeling turned on, maintaining an erection, or reaching orgasm.
You skip your responsibilities to watch porn
When a porn addiction progresses, it consumes more and more of your time. Your need to view sexually explicit material overrides the other responsibilities in your life.
You may avoid social gatherings or take time away from work to watch pornography.
Porn addiction can also lead to financial irresponsibility. While there is a plethora of free pornography online, addiction can drive you to seek out more explicit or diverse material. You may spend money on subscriptions to sites with more extreme content or start to pay for sex.
The costs can quickly add up and put you in a difficult financial position.
You can’t stop yourself from looking at pornography
Severe porn addiction takes over your thoughts. When you’re not looking at pornography, your mind is hyper focused on the next time you can use it.
Even if you realize your porn consumption is excessive or harmful, you cannot stop yourself. You have (or are tempted to) view porn at inappropriate times.
You know that continuing this behavior will lead to problems with your career or your relationships. You worry that your cravings and obsessive thoughts will drive you to actions you will come to regret.
Physical signs that you are addicted to porn
Erectile dysfunction when attempting to have sex a person
Sexual dysfunction
Premature ejaculation
Chafing or bruising to the genitals
Psychological signs that you are addicted to porn
Increased anger or irritability
Depression
Anxiety
Anhedonia- reduced or inability to feel pleasure
Behavioural signs that you are addicted to porn
Planning porn viewing in advance, for example while your partner is asleep or out of the house
Taking steps to hide your behavior from your partner
Using porn as a way to deal with strong emotions, such as anger or sadness
Find Help for Porn Addiction
If you are wondering if you are addicted to porn, the truth is you probably are. Porn addiction is a complex, but completely treatable disorder. If you seek out professional support, you can come out on the other side of this.
The therapists at Peter Stathakos and Associates specialize in treating sex and porn addiction. We leverage our experience to create customized treatment plans that get to the heart of the issue and accelerate the healing process. If you are ready to talk, we are here to listen. Call us today for a free introduction call.