Porn addiction is only a kind of sex addiction and it has become one of the rising issues among other sexual problems individuals face. Porn addiction is a behavioral problem and it can negatively affect an individual’s life.
The Internet has made pornography an easy access to many people worldwide. Some studies demonstrate that the brain activity while watching porn in some people with sexual disorders is similar to a “high” that drugs offer.1
Like other illnesses, porn addicts also show certain signs and symptoms. Let’s examine these symptoms in detail.
Signs And Symptoms Of Porn Addiction
If you think your partner is addicted to porn, then one or more of these symptoms may be noticed.
- Excessive viewing of pornography is one of the first signs of porn addiction. It is difficult to measure how much porn is too much porn. However, you know that you are watching porn in excess when it begins to negatively impact your life or your partner’s.
- Porn becomes an addiction when it interferes normal daily behavior or responsibilities.
- When porn use is stopped, there is a sense of emotional distress or feeling of withdrawal.
- Compulsive masturbating is another sign of porn addiction.
- Sexual dysfunction like impotence or premature ejaculation may be observed in those who are addicted to pornography.
- It may become difficult to get aroused by your partner.
- Sexual behaviors may change. For instance, the intimate, romantic behavior may become more aggressive or dominant.
- Watching porn in excess may also change depressing or unpleasant moods and feelings. It may provide a certain “high” and most often a porn addict will turn to pornography to avoid these feelings.
While no one really knows the exact cause of porn addiction, there are a few possible factors that may influence an individual’s porn addiction. Let’s examine these possible causes of porn addiction.
Possible Causes Of Porn Addiction
There are biological, psychological, and social factors that may lead to porn addiction.
1. Biological Causes
- There is a possibility that you may have a genetic inclination toward a sensation-seeking behavior.
- High levels of sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen may affect your sex drive. If you have an impulsive behavior and are sexually very active, you may get yourself involved with excess pornography.
2. Psychological Causes
- Early-life experiences like sexual abuse or early exposure to explicit sexual content may contribute to excessive interest in pornography.
- Sometimes, certain mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, personality disorders, poor impulse control, and performance anxiety may lead to porn addiction.
3. Social Causes
- Being rejected in relationships multiple times may cause individuals to find other ways to sexually satisfy themselves. This includes watching pornography which may lead to porn addiction.
- Social isolation may increase one’s possibility of seeking inappropriate sexual gratification. This may lead to porn addiction and inappropriate sexual behaviors.
- Your behavior may be influenced by your peers. If your friend or group of friends are engaged in pornography, then it may have an influence on your sexual behavior as well.
There are several negative effects of porn addiction. These may affect an individual and/or the relationship with their partner. Let’s examine the negative effects of porn addiction.
3 Negative Effects Of Porn Addiction
1. Impacts Men’s Attitude Negatively
Pornography has shown to have an impact on men’s attitude toward women. Pornography promotes sexist behavior among men. It may be possible that pornography promotes less egalitarian attitude toward women and more hostile sexism.2 Men may find it okay to degrade and objectify women due to excessive viewing of pornography. This also encourages a violent behavior in men toward women.
2. Reduces Relationship Commitment
Pornography may also result in relationship problems. Watching porn may increase the expectations an individual has of his or her partner. The individual may want similar sexual activities like in porn videos. They may also become emotionally detached which can affect the relationship adversely.
Moreover, too much porn may also affect the sexual arousal with your partner. More often, men who engage in excessive pornography report that they find their partner less attractive which, in turn, affects both their sexual experiences.
3. Affects The Body Adversely
Watching excess pornographic content means that real-life experiences will not excite the individual addicted to it. They will seek for more sexually exciting ways to experience pleasure and to reach a satisfaction which may not be possible in real life. Excessive pornography may also lead to the following adverse effects on the body.
- Impotence with your spouse
- Frequent masturbation with very little satisfaction
- Anxiety
- Lack of motivation
- Inability to concentrate
- Interest in unusual and unrealistic real-life sexual experiences
Porn addiction is something that can be controlled at a young age. If you think your teenage child is watching porn or explicit sexual content, speak about the problems it can cause. Similarly, if you think your partner is addicted to porn, tackle the problem together. Don’t be the reason why your partner feels more guilty. Try therapy instead and make sure you visit the therapist according to the schedule.
References
