PORNOGRAPHY ADDICTION, SEX ADDICTION AND COMPULSIVE SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR

Victoria Kerr (formerly Morrissey)
Perth Counsellor & Psychotherapist

Many people who suffer from compulsive sexual behaviours, experience feelings of guilt and shame about their problem. The secret they carry and the double life that they may be leading, can be a lonely and isolating experience. Reluctance to share their concerns may result in the development of anxiety and depression symptoms.

It can be very difficult to break a habit without help and support. Most often, people put off seeking external help for porn and sex addiction because it involves revealing a deeply private part of their lives that they have kept hidden due to feelings of shame, guilt and fear. After several attempts at stopping on their own, many feel that they have tried and become resolute in their inability to change. Some feel that they are weak, a failure or that there is something inherently wrong with them. This can compound existing feelings of shame and guilt and can make it even more difficult to reach out.

The diagnosis of addiction v's compulsion is a fine line. Although porn and sex addiction is not yet listed as an official psychiatric disorder, the same criteria may be applied that identifies other addictions. Regardless of the label attached to the problem, if the viewing of pornography or the engaging in sexual behaviour is experienced as a dependency and negatively impacts self-identity, family life, relationships, friendships, work and social lives, finances it is a problem.

IDENTIFYING IF THERE IS A PROBLEM

• Previous attempts to stop have failed
• Experiencing strong urges or cravings that feel overwhelming
• Keeping your pornography viewing or sexual exploits a secret from your partner and/or lying to your partner
• Experiencing consuming and/or obsessive thoughts and sexual fantasies that interfere with daily functioning
• An escalation in frequency and/or explicitness of pornography
• Pornography and sexual behaviour is impacting family, social or work commitments
• Experiencing feelings of anger, anxiety, irritableness if unable to access porn or sexual contact
• Development of unrealistic expectations around sex
• Development of erectile dysfunction and other sexual issues
• Physical injury or discomfort caused by excessive masturbation or sex
• Progression from pornography to visiting sex workers, engaging in casual sexual encounters or paying for other sexual services (including dating sites and webcams)

HOW PORNOGRAPHY AFFECTS THE BRAIN

It is reported that pornography addiction is comparable to a drug addiction; this is due to similarities in neurochemical activity that takes place in the brain. Masturbating and reaching climax in conjunction with viewing pornographic images results in the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine (along the other biochemicals). This activates the pleasure and reward system in the brain which serves to increase the compulsivity of the activity. The brain begins to associate the 'dopamine high' with the pornography. As time goes by, the explicitness and time spent viewing pornography needs to increase to produce the dopamine high.

TREATMENT FOR PORN ADDICTION, SEX ADDICTION AND COMPULSIVE SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR

When seeking therapy for issues around sex and pornography, it is important to remember that you have choices regarding the outcome. The therapist is not there to judge or give advice regarding what is the 'right' behaviour for you. The therapist is there to support you in exploring what behaviour is acceptable for you around sex and pornography.

Ultimately the goal is to identify and change patterns of unhelpful thoughts and behaviour. Your therapist will explore with you and assist in increasing your awareness of patterns and cycles in behaviour. Therapy will also help identify impulse control issues and psychological factors that may have contributed to the cycle that has been established.

If you would like to seek help relating to pornography or sexual behaviour that you feel may have become problematic for you, but you are anxious about being judged, or if feeling shameful is getting in the way of you getting help, perhaps establishing initial contact through email may help you feel more at ease about making an appointment.

If you would like to speak to someone regarding pornography or sex addiction, Victoria can be contacted by email.

Email: v.kerr@bigpond.com

The use, production, and/or transmission of CHILD PORNOGRAPHIC material is against the law and Mandatory Reporting applies.

Victoria Kerr (formerly Morrissey)
Psychotherapist and Counsellor

Applecross Counselling & Psychotherapy
Attadale Business Centre
14b, 550 Canning Hwy
Attadale WA 6153
www.applecrosscounselling.com.au

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