A recent study conducted by Cody Harper and David C. Hodgins, published on Journal of Behavoral Addictions shows that pathological use of pornographic material (dependence on porn) is associated with a compromise of social functioning (higher levels of anxiety and depression and less satisfaction for the quality of life and for social relationships) as well as with the problematic use of alcohol and cannabis, with gambling and with the compulsive use of video games.
According to the authors, the subjects most at risk to develop one dependence on porn They are men, although women are not exempt from it. There porn-dependence It is a common form of sexual dependence that presents the following symptoms:
- Progressive increase in the amount of time dedicated to the use of pornographic material;
- Search for gradually more intense or bizarre content;
- Unsuccessful attempts to suspend or decrease dependence behavior;
- Use of pornographic material despite the manifestation of negative consequences: difficulties or impossibility in creating and maintaining social or sentimental relationships; feelings of depression, shame and isolation; loss or impoverishment of relationships with family members or partner; Loss of interest in other activities (work, school, social life, family, sport …); problems of performance at work or study; economic problems; associated use of drugs; sexual dysfunctions …;
- Attempts to disagree, deny, hide dependence.
The person with dependence on porndifferently from what it can be considered, it makes use of pornographic material to achieve purposes other than the achievement of orgasm: porn-addicted are much more interested in supporting and nourishing their sexual fantasies.
The orgasm represents, in this form of dependence, the end of pleasure and the return to real life, while the purpose of the dependent porn is rather to stop for the greatest possible time in the neurochemical trance induced by pornographic material.
There dependence on pornin addition to the symptoms listed, it can connect to some sexual dysfunctions or to the relational and couple discomfort, because the porn dependent experiences growing difficulty in trying in reality the same share of excitement and stimulation that the pornographic material offers it. It is therefore possible that Porn-ADDICTED:
- It easily reaches excitement or orgasm by making pornographic material, but which finds greater difficulties with the real partner;
- He manages to reach the excitement and orgasm with the partner but with a time greater than what he would like or the partner;
- The partner can complain of disinterest or unputable involvement by the porn-addicted during sex;
- He manages to reach orgasm but only retracing pornographic images in his mind;
- You find pornography most stimulating and interesting than sex.
There pornographywhen a pathological use is made, it can become very problematic, exactly like any other substance of abuse. For this it requires a specialist psychotherapy intervention for its treatment.
Porn-addicted can be reluctant to ask for help and can difficult to bring their relational or sexual problems back to the conduct of abuse of pornographic material. It may also occur that the Shame about the dependence on pornbring porn to the dependent to isolate themselves and hide their behavior.
It is very important that medical doctors, psychologists, psychotherapists and health professionals ask specific questions compared to the consultation of pornographic material in the face of sexual or couple problems, and in general they learn to keep in mind the possible presence of this addiction in the assessment and treatment phase, in order to avoid ineffective if not harmful interventions.
There Cognitive behavioral psychotherapy It has a proven efficacy in the treatment of addictions. The therapy approach is based on psycho-education, on specific skills training (social skills, conflict resolution, resumption of recreational activities, active listening, assertive training, emotional regulation …) and on the prevention of repercussions. Some approaches combine cognitive-behavioral techniques to mindfulness, to implement the effectiveness of the treatment.
- Behavioral addictions
