Pornography Addiction As A Mental Disorder
According to researchers, many of them believe that anyone who has an addiction is considered damaged. Addiction is the condition of being enslaved by a particular substance, thing or activity. Some of those addictions can be alcohol, drugs, gambling and the most debatable one being pornography. Till this day the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has not recognized it as an official disorder. Pornography addiction is defined as a condition characterized by obsessive viewing or reading of sexual content. Some people may argue that watching porn can help improve their sex lives. However, due to the increasing views of pornography in our country, the DSM-5 should consider porn addiction as a formal disorder because it can affect people physical, psychological, and social well being.
To begin, “The availability of porn has made it possible for a number of individuals who might have felt insecure or guilty about their sexuality or sexual desire to be able to gain familiarity and comfort with practices that are closer to their ream of experience”. Although people will suggest that watching porn can improve their sex lives, through the progression of time it can be harmful towards the aspect of a person's physical life. Watching too much porn can intervene with the romantic or sexual behavior in a relationship. For example, your partner can become more aggressive, dominant or emotionally disconnected. The Brains of Porn Addicts says, “Pornography provides a way to mitigate potential frustration while remaining committed to their relationship”.
In fact, Pornograpghy can reduce fustration while being in a relationship but it can also cause sexual dysfunctions, such as impotence, by not being able to perform any sexual activities. Impotence is the inability to form or maintain an erection. Although some people may think watching porn can bring relationships closer, that may not always the case for everyone. When men watch too much pornography, it can lead to less intimacy with their partner. In fact, the less intimacy a person has with their significant other can make them feel less attractive, because they feel like they can never compare to these X-rated actresses or actors. Even though people say pornography can benefit their sex drive, not only can it affect you physically but it can also hurt us psychologically.
To continue, people that watch pornography on a daily basis tend to have a high chance of having psychological defects. One of the psychological defects involves their mental health, such as depression, anxiety, and poor impulse control. Due to these psychological disorders, people are more vulnerable to becoming addicted than others. According to The Brains of Addicts, about 9% of viewers indicate that they are unable to refrain from watching pornography, leading them to feel depressed and anxious. A pro-porn viewer can argue that they watch porn, because they are bored and it's their way to cope with negative feelings or situation. However, the only thing it is doing for the user is disconnecting them from reality.
Additionally, some porn addicts can develop a different perspective from the world, because they trying to mirror what they are watching in those videos and magazines. Porn addicts do not realize that their own minds are being tricked into thinking what they’re watching is what they will get, when in reality it is only a fantasy. In addition, at the University of Cambridge, Dr Valerie Voon studied the brain of a compulsive porn user and came to the conclusion that the brain activity patterns were similar to a substance abuser. Recent research has proved that dopamine plays a big role for someone to become addicted to a substance or activity. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for transmitting signals to the brain. “Dopamine not only contributes to experience of pleasure. . . key elements in the transition from liking something to becoming addicted to it”. A person can experience many other psychological effects due to excessive porn use, but these three main points play a big factor.
Furthermore, according to Dr Erick Janssen, a scientist at the Kinsey Institute states, “There are a lot of people out there using a lot of porn who have no problems with it whatsoever”. However, other studies indicate that people who watch porn are prone to becoming socially unstable. For example, men and women tend to become inappropriate towards each other in a social environment. “Research also shows that porn users exhibit more dominating and harassing behavior”. In addition, not only do people become inappropriate but also obsess about having sexual contact with random strangers. In addition to this, porn teaches men that women are sexual objects, causing a social problem. For example, men may think that women are ready for anything sexual at anytime. Men can also treat women as an object that only works to please the male species. Due to this behavior, men can end up becoming sex offenders and can become aggressive towards women.
In conclusion, pornography addiction is a serious matter that should be an official mental disorder to the DSM-5, because of the harmful effects it may cause in the long run. Even though people from the opposing side think watching it can benefit our health, and help our sex lives become better, it can also have some major risk factors. Porn addiction can be treatable like other addictions and with the right support, people will be able to create a new life. It is possible to overcome this addiction through the variety of therapies offered, such as cognitive based therapy, group therapy or 12 step recovery programs. Even though people probably have the urge to relapse and watch porn again, with medication and lifestyle changes like rehab can help an individual experience a new clean life without porn.
