High-speed internet access has made it easier than ever to access porn at unprecedented pace and turning porn entertainment into a billion dollar business industry. Hollywood celebrities like Terry Crew and Christ Rock have spoken out about unhealthy effect of pornography addiction. Pornography addiction is a compulsive sexual activity with concurrent use of pornographic material, despite negative consequences to one's physical, mental, social, or financial well-being. Pornography addiction is not an official diagnosis as it is not currently recognized by the DSM criteria, unlike alcohol and substance addiction.
Like any behavioural addiction, pornography addiction is characterised by the ever-growing compulsion to view pornographic content. Pornography addiction can lead to dissatisfaction to one's sex life and their partner. Individuals who watch porn regularly get used to the 'quick-fix' intense rush produce by masturbation. Moreover, the fantasy of what people should look like and act like are obviously different in real life. This can create distortion on individual perception of the normal sexual experience, decreasing desire and interest in their real-life partner.
Pornography addiction can also lead to sexual health disorders in men such as erectile dysfunction as porn can desensitize their sexual response as they will require progressively increase sexual stimulation to feel and remain aroused. The use of pornography also change the way the brain reacts to arousal, making individual less likely to feel aroused by their real-life partner. The use of sex toys also might desensitize the nerves in the genital area, making it more difficult to get an erection because the nerves require more physical stimulation. Women married to men with a pornography addiction often reported feelings of betrayal, mistrust, and anger leading to conflicts in the relationship.
Individual who regularly watched pornography have compulsive needs to view porn even at risky places such as at work. Often they may feels frustrated or ashamed after viewing but continue to do so. Despite attempts to stop watching porn, an individual struggling with pornography addiction may have difficulties to do so. Pornography were used not just to kill boredom but often to cope with sadness, stress, insomnia and other mental health issues. They are also willing to spend hundred of dollars on pornography, possibly at at the expense of other financial needs. Individual who frequently watching porns may participate in high risk behaviours exposing themselves to sexually transmitted infections and sexual violence.
If you or anyone you know suffer from pornography addiction, talk to your doctor today for more information.
