Sex addiction is the Umbrella term and Porn Addiction is a subset of the same.So, It refers to a range of behaviors that are done in excess and have a negative impact on Your day to day life.

Let us look at the issue statistically:

It was found that

• 1 out of 5 searches on mobile phones are related to pornography
• 20 percent men admit watching pornographic videos at work
• 88 percent of the porn clips portray physical aggression and
• 49 percent contain verbal aggression.

There is a lot of ongoing debate on whether watching porn is healthy or unhealthy, with no clear answers. Some communities and experts opine that watching porn in any quantity is unhealthy whereas others suggest that there are healthy doses of porn that actually impact positively. As with all kinds of addiction, there is an emotional pain that the addict tries to evade and it opens its way to dependence on something else.

The stages of porn addiction

Initial Exposure: Guys get exposed to porn at a very early age. You find it exciting and the ideas make an impression on your mind and give you a high similar to that of dopamine.

Addiction: This is the second phase. You start coming back to porn and it becomes a part of your life.

Escalation: In this stage, you crave for more and look for alternative sources where you can get more graphical porn.

Desensitisation: Since you start to eventually become numb. Hence, the best graphic, exciting and innovative porn also doesn’t give you the same high and you become anxious.

Acting out in real: This is a dangerous jump many men take. Here, they shift from paper and graphic images to porn in the real world.

Signs of Porn Addiction

• Viewing excess pornography. Since excess is subjective; if it starts impacting your life or someone else’s life, it is a red flag.
• Watching patterns that interfere with your day to day functioning and responsibilities.
• You spend a lot of time on finding more and more stimulating types of pornography.
•  Experience emotional distress, and withdrawal symptoms when you cannot watch porn.
•  You do not stop using pornography in spite of serious consequences like loss of job, loss of a relationship, contracting sexually transmitted disease etc.
• Masturbating compulsively, leading to sexual dysfunction.
• You watch porn to alter your mood states like anxiety, negative emotions or sadness.

If you feel that you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, speak to a healthcare professional. He can better understand your behaviors and suggest treatment options.

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