If you watch porn when you’re bored or sad, that’s a good reason to look into other symptoms.
What is porn addiction and does it really exist?
Porn addiction is an obsessive desire to watch pornography, even at the expense of more important activities. This is not a true medical diagnosis, however, for some people, an irresistible craving for adult films becomes a problem.
Andrey Lychagin
Andrologist-sexologist, author of the telegram channel ” Be healthy, man ”
Many people who frequently watch porn become addicted to it and lose control of their behavior. As a result, this threatens with psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety and low self-esteem.
How to understand that there is a porn addiction.
Since addiction to pornography, like sex, is not listed as a psychiatric disease, there are no standardized criteria for diagnosis. But you should be wary if a person:
- spends a lot of money on pornography, sometimes to the detriment of basic necessities;
- uses porn to deal with difficult emotions such as pain, anxiety, and sadness;
- takes risks while watching: for example, doing it in public places or at work;
- gets angry if he is advised to watch less porn;
- cannot quit, although he makes such attempts;
- Feels ashamed after watching porn but can’t kick the habit
- turns to more extreme forms of pornography to find pleasure;
- considers sex not as attractive as watching porn;
- hides porn habits from sexual partners.
Why porn can be addictive
Some people think that the only reason is the availability of pornography. But finding this content is easy for many, and not everyone develops unhealthy relationships. So there must be something else.
Features of the brain
Due to differences in brain structure or chemical metabolism, some people are more likely to develop addiction. And not only from porn, but also from alcohol, drugs , gambling and the like.
Cultural Features
We are social beings. Therefore, the experience of others and cultural characteristics also leave their mark. For example, if in society the topic of sex and porn is banned, then with the help of such videos you can get a new experience.
Psychological problems
Watching porn can be an escape from reality or a way to overcome stress and other psychological issues.
relationship problems
Difficulty finding a partner sometimes leads some people to turn to pornography to cope with or satisfy their sexual desires.
What factors increase the risk of developing porn addiction
Research shows that the main reasons to turn on pornography more often are:
- youth;
- Bad mood;
- frequent use of the Internet;
- religiosity;
- boring sex life .
Why is porn addiction dangerous?
Pornography addiction, like any addiction, can cause a person to distance himself from everything that is dear to him, and ultimately ruin his life.
Can destroy social bonds
Since pornography is an activity that is not customary to advertise, the compulsive desire to watch such videos makes a person move away from others, spending a lot of time alone. Again, compulsive browsing takes a lot of time, so there is almost no time left for household chores, communication and work.
An irresistible passion for porn can eventually become more important than work meetings, doctor visits, or dates with other people.
May impair self-esteem
When a person constantly watches adult films, he unconsciously begins to compare himself with the characters. But porn actors do not look like ordinary people, and therefore the viewer may begin to complex and feel insecure.