Pornography Addiction
Defined as a constant use, abuse, or overuse of pornography, pornography addiction is noted by doctors as an obsessive compulsive disorder rather than a disease. As with all addictions, pornography addiction involves a state of anxiety before initiating the behavior, euphoria or an intense high during the behavior, and a sense of relief immediately afterwards which can be coupled with shame or guilt as time passes. Symptoms include an obsession or preoccupation with the behavior which allows time for nothing else in a person’s daily life, failed attempts to control or stop the use, continually engaging in the behavior despite experiencing negative consequences, a neglecting of personal or social obligations in order to engage in the behavior, building up a tolerance and needing to increase the behavior, and irritation or petulance when unable to engage in the behavior.
Results of pornography addiction can include a callousness towards common sexual relationships, fantasies about the acting out of pornographic scenes, developing a tolerance, or becoming desensitized to the material, becoming secretive and solitary, developing a selfish view of sex, and objectifying the opposite sex. Although believed by many to have connections to violent sexual crime, pornography is often the result of a criminally inclined individual not the cause. Although considered a helper tool in some instances, pornography in marriage can be very unhealthy for the relationship. Partners can feel like they don’t measure up and begin to feel alienated from their spouse. It is suggested that healthier forms of enticement, which involve the partners themselves, are used instead.