“Porn addiction” isn’t an official diagnosis recognized by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). But experiencing an uncontrollable compulsion to view porn can be as problematic for some people as other behavioral addictions.
Pornography has always been with us, and it’s always been controversial.
Some people aren’t interested in it, and some are deeply offended by it. Others partake of it occasionally, and others on a regular basis.
It all boils down to personal preference and personal choice.
Since the existence of “porn addiction” is not recognized by the APA, no definitive diagnostic criteria guide mental health professionals in its diagnosis.
This article explores the difference between compulsion and addiction, and reviews how to:
- recognize habits which may be considered problematic
- reduce or eliminate unwanted behavior
- know when to talk to a mental health professional
Is it really an addiction?
Since people may be reluctant to talk about it, it’s difficult to know how many people enjoy porn on a regular basis, or how many find it impossible to resist.
A Kinsey Institute survey found that 9 percent of people who view porn have unsuccessfully tried to stop. This survey was taken in 2002.
Since then, it’s become much easier to access porn via the internet and streaming services.
This easy access makes it more difficult to stop if watching porn has become a problem.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), a publication of the American Psychiatric Association, is used by healthcare professionals to help diagnosis mental disorders.
But researchTrusted Source suggests that behavioral addictions are serious.
One 2015 review article concluded that internet pornography shares basic mechanisms with substance addiction.
Research comparing the brains of people who compulsively view porn to the brains of people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol has produced mixed results.
Other researchers suggest it may be more of a compulsion than an addiction.
COMPULSION VS. ADDICTION
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors with no rational motivation, but are often engaged in to reduce anxiety. Addictions involve an inability to stop the behavior, despite negative consequences. Both involve a lack of control.
Either way, if watching porn becomes problematic, there are ways to try to regain control.
What does addiction look like?
Simply viewing or enjoying porn doesn’t make you addicted to it, nor does it require fixing.
On the other hand, addictions are about lack of control — and that can cause significant problems.
Your viewing habits may be a cause for concern if you:
- find that the amount of time you spend watching porn keeps growing
- feel as though you need a porn “fix” — and that fix gives you a “high”
- feel guilty about the consequences of viewing porn
- spend hours on end perusing online porn sites, even if it means neglecting responsibilities or sleep
- insist that your romantic or sexual partner views porn or acts out porn fantasies even though they don’t want to
- are unable to enjoy sex without first viewing porn
- are unable to resist porn even though it’s disrupting your life
What causes it?
It’s hard to say why viewing porn can sometimes escalate into an out-of-control behavior.
You may start looking at porn because you like it, and watching it doesn’t seem to be a problem.
You may enjoy the rush it gives you and find yourself wanting that rush more often.
By then, it may not matter that these viewing habits are causing a problem or that you feel bad about it later. It’s that in-the-moment high you can’t resist.
If you try to stop, you may find that you simply can’t do it. That’s how behavioral addictions sneak up on people.
Research Trusted Source shows that certain behavioral addictions, such as internet addiction, involve neural processes similar to substance addiction — and that internet pornography addiction is comparable.
It may start during a period when you feel bored, lonely, anxious, or depressed. Like other behavioral addictions, it can happen to anyone.
Can you stop on your own or should you see a professional?
You may be able to gain control over your porn viewing on your own.
Here are a few things you can try:
- Delete electronic porn and bookmarks on all your devices.
- Discard all your hard-copy porn.
- Have someone else install anti-porn software on your electronic devices without giving you the password.
- Have a plan — choose another activity or two that you can turn to when that powerful urge hits.
- When you want to view porn, remind yourself how it has affected your life — write it down if that helps.
- Consider if there are any triggers and try to avoid them.
- Partner up with someone else who will ask about your porn habit and hold you accountable.
- Keep a journal to track setbacks, reminders, and alternate activities that work.
What treatment options are available?
If you can, consider seeing a therapist to discuss your concerns. They can come up with an individualized treatment plan to help you work through them.
Therapy
If you believe you have a compulsion or addiction, it’s worth seeing a mental health professional for evaluation. This may be especially helpful if you also have anxiety, signs of depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Depending on how porn is impacting your life, your therapist may recommend individual, group, or family counseling.
Be wary of therapists who claim to “specialize” in diagnosis and treatment of pornography. It’s difficult to “specialize” in a disorder that lacks a professionally agreed upon definition or uniformly outlined diagnostic criteria.
Counseling sessions will help you understand what caused the compulsion in the first place. Your therapist can help you develop effective coping mechanisms to change your relationship with pornographic materials.
Support groups
Many people find strength in talking to others who have firsthand experience with the same issue.
Ask a primary care physician, mental health professional, or local hospital for information on pornography or sexual addiction support groups.
Here are some other sources you may find helpful:
- DailyStrength.org: Sex/Pornography Addiction Support Group
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): National Helpline 1-800-662-4357
- American Psychological Association: Psychologist Locator
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