Pornography addiction is a compulsive need to view pornography despite negative consequences.
What separates a porn addiction from a keen interest inpornis the negative consequences of the behavior.
The behavior persists even if it harms your career, relationships, or state of well-being.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Opponents believe itdamage relationships, contributes to sexual aggression, and creates unhealthy or destructive behaviors.
This article discusses the symptoms and causes of porn addiction.
It also covers some of the treatment options that may be helpful.
Click below to listen now.
If you are concerned about your porn viewing, there are some warning signs to consider.
The APA proposed that it be added as a subcategory of hypersexual disorder.
However, the scientific board eventually concluded that there was not enough evidence to support the diagnosis.
While porn addiction is not recognized as a distinct diagnosis, it does share some symptoms associated with addiction.
The response can occur within 300 milliseconds of viewing pornography.
The researchers argued that the same response happens when a person who uses drugs views drug-related images.
This observation suggests that both psychological and physiological factors may play a part in compulsive pornography use.
Instead, they suggest that characterizing porn as problematic is linked to harmful views about sexuality.
You don’t have to confront your porn addiction alone or quit “cold turkey.”
With the right treatment, you might achieve lasting recovery from porn addiction.
By bringing your compulsive behavior into the light, you might begin to answer some important questions about yourself.
These answers will guide you to resolutions that will make you happier and your life more stable and productive.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Weir K, American Psychological Association.Is pornography addictive?.Monitor on Psychology.
2014;45(4):46.
An fmri study of men seeking treatment for problematic pornography use.Neuropsychopharmacol.
2019;8(1).
