Porn use is a controversial topic. Some individuals watch porn addictively. What is the difference between healthy and addictive porn use? In this article, we will highlight some key warning signs of porn addiction.

Porn use is harmful when

1. Excessive time spent on porn viewing

2. Sex life has become unsatisfying

3. Watching porn in inappropriate settings

4. Porn is used to cope with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions

Excessive time spent on porn viewing

Porn addicts spend long hours watching porn while masturbating. In order to gain maximum sexual pleasure, they keep watching various porn clips. They are on a hunt to find sexually stimulating clips. Each clip progressively gets more hardcore in order to keep the sexual tension going. 3 to 4 hours went past unnoticed. Some even spend the whole day watching porn. By the time they reach orgasm, they realise they feel guilty due to the massive amount of time they wasted. Also, they neglected their work, school or social obligations. Some lack sleep due to porn viewing. The lack of sleep affects their ability to function well at work or school.

Sex life has become unsatisfying 

Sex acts shown in porn are not real-life sex. Porn addicts live with sexual fantasies based on porn. Since their fantasies are not based on reality, when they have sex, they find that real life sex is lacklustre and unsatisfying. Instead of learning how to enjoy sex, they go back to porn for sexual satisfaction. This destructive cycle deepens. Porn use is becoming more entrenched. Porn has become the only solution for porn addicts to feel satisfied.

Watching porn in inappropriate settings

One key indicator of porn addiction is watching porn in inappropriate settings. A porn addict can watch porn in the office toilet during working hours. He felt stressed at work and needed relief. So he sneaked to the toilet to watch porn and masturbate. Some might watch porn in public settings. The excitement of being caught adds on to the sexual excitement of porn watching. This is problematic because the addict has started watching porn in risky situations. He might end up with legal consequences if he didn't stop. Some might start acting out porn scenes they watch in order to live their fantasies. 

Porn is used to cope with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.

Porn use becomes problematic when it is used to cope with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. An orgasm is pleasurable and can be soothing for someone with anxiety or depression. A porn addict learns to seek porn for relief from anxiety and depression. This relief is short-term. The addict will need to seek porn once they feel anxious or depressed again. We call this maladaptive coping. The interaction of porn addiction and mental health conditions causes the addict to become trapped. This cycle might be hard to break.

Know that help is available

If you identify with article, know that help is available. Porn addiction can be managed.

Insight Therapy Services provides counselling for Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder (CSBD). We will examine your porn addiction. You learn deeper insights about your actions and yourself. You learn how to gain control over your life.

If you wish to book an initial consultation, visit this page.

For more queries, email me at alex@insight-therapy.com.sg