Inability To Stop Or Maintain Abstinence
Kind of like drugs and alcohol when you find that you are unable to stay without masturbating, then it is a big problem. No matter how often you make a pact to stop completely, you find yourself continually overindulging- then, the individual certainly needs help.
All these are negative effects that arise as a result of excessive masturbation. Such behavior is anti-social and requires remedial measures to correct the situation.
Signs Of Compulsive Masturbation
Compulsive masturbation disorder interferes with a persons social life and even their physical well being. When a person engages in compulsive masturbation, what they do is harmful. Because the act is done compulsively, the person will do it either frequently so that it interferes with intimacy and a normal relationship with a loved one. Or it may be done in spurts but to the point where the person physically harms themselves.
A person may go on a binge of masturbating and not stop even when physical signs indicate stopping is necessary. Other people simply do it as part of their routine and cant imagine going without it. The driving force behind each type of behavior is the compulsion surrounding the action.
What Is Sex Addiction
Relationship counselling service Relate describes sex addiction as any sexual activity that feels “out of control”. This could be sex with a partner, but it can also mean activities such as pornography, masturbation, visiting prostitutes or using chat lines.
For most people, these behaviours don’t cause any serious problems. But some people are unable to control these urges and actions, despite the difficulties they may cause in their relationships, finances and professional lives.
Some people may also have a dependency on sex and sexual activity to numb any negative emotions and difficult experiences. This can have a negative effect on the person’s quality of life and on those around them.
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Stopping Masturbation May Be A Concern For Some People Ridding Triggers And Focusing Your Energy On Other Pursuits Can Help Limit Your Urge
In itself, masturbation is a normal and healthy way of expressing and satisfying yourself sexually. However, if it gets to the point that your masturbation has become an addiction that is infringing on your religious or personal life, then you may need to take action. Learning to stop masturbating is a matter of mastering your urges and enacting self-discipline to curb your impulse to take part in such behavior.
Can Masturbation Stunt My Growth
Again, no. This myth also has to do with peoples misconceptions about testosterone levels.
This is instrumental in your growth during your teenage years, especially. But numerous hormones are responsible for your growth throughout your life. Temporary reductions in testosterone after ejaculation dont affect your bodys overall stores of testosterone.
In fact, eating unhealthily, not exercising enough, and exposure to pollutants are far bigger factors in stunting your growth than masturbation.
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Prevention To Avoid Masturbation Addiction
People addicted to and engaging in excessive masturbation cite a temporary refuge from everyday feelings and worries whilst indulging in the act. However, a positive and healthier approach to the same can help anyone overcome the urges, gradually lowering them to a level wherein they dont affect, or at least control you anymore! The following life hacks might be tried :
Avoid Pornography: No matter how much you wish to indulge or derive pleasure from some random people and their acts, try to fight the temptation. Stay strong!
Avoid Solitude: Most of these indulgences occur when you are alone in the safety of solitude, whilst no one is there to judge you or make the whole scene awkward. So a simple hack – avoid solitude, for as long as you continue to be in your presence alone, you will feel tempted to just go through it once more and one of these fine days, you might succumb to it as well!
Pick up a hobby: Whenever your mind takes you back on this track, pick up a hobby to indulge in, divert your attention, thoughts and mind to healthier and really fascinating activities.
Feel and indulge in the brilliance of being Fap free You have already learned how members of the No Fap community described their experience as life-changing. Let yourself feel and enjoy an elated and better life experience as well.
Another way to stop masturbation is to change the mood, for that you can start listing listening to music can drive away from the thought of doing masturbation.
Causes & Triggers Of Masturbation Addiction
Like symptoms, causes and triggers of masturbation addiction will vary by individual. Again, these may be impacted by personal predispositions and social influences.8 The more causes and triggers that are present in ones life, the greater ones potential susceptibility. With an awareness of these, more proactive measures may be taken to prevent onset.
Mayo Clinic has suggested the following causes and risk factors for compulsive sexual behavior in general:
Causes:8
- Family conflicts or family members with problems such as addiction
- A history of physical or sexual abuse
Note that such causes and risk factors need not be initially present for one to develop masturbation addiction. Said addiction may begin out of an intense enjoyment of self-gratification that progressively leads toward changes in brain pathways, an imbalance of brain chemicals, and other problems and conditions.
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What You Can Do
Masturbation addiction can be treated by attending sex addict anonymous groups, accessing self-help or going to group therapy, which Peter believes is the most effective way of overcoming an addiction. It works by normalising the issue, supporting the individual and working together within the group until they have overcome the addiction.
If you need help or advice, you can find your nearest Relate centre here or chat online to one of their counsellors.
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Can Masturbation Addiction Go Away On Its Own
Both yes or no would be the right answer. If an individual finds them strong enough to fight with addiction on its own then it may get cured within a short period.
In other cases when a person finds it difficult to fight the addiction, then s/he must seek medical counseling from a psychiatrist or a sexologist.
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What Is Masturbation Addiction It Starts With Porn
For most people, masturbation can be a normal and healthy habit. However, as with any enjoyable experience, masturbation can become an addiction if it is done too much. The symptoms of masturbation addiction are actually quite similar to other forms of addiction.
In this article, we are going to talk about masturbation addiction, its symptoms, and what you can do if you suspect that you are addicted to masturbating.
Difficulty In Communicating With Others
Do you also feel nervous while talking to new people? Well, youre not the only one, most of the people who masturbate face hard times while communicating with others. They lack words and use fillers more. It makes their personality look worsen.
Communication level can be elevated if you work on your self-confidence, but if you dont stop fapping daily, no self-improvement guide will work for you.
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Quizzes And Self Diagnosis
Although quizzes and self-diagnosis may be useful toward indicating a problem, an actual diagnosis needs to be made by a trained professional. These individuals have undergone years of study and experience to assess for relevant factors while excluding irrelevant ones.
Currently, there are various quizzes and self-diagnosis tools available for exploring various problematic sexual behaviors and compulsions. These include sex addiction, pornography addiction, love addiction, fetishes, aggressive sexual acts, et cetera. These may provide some insight as to whether one has an issue. If there is an indication of an issue upon completing a quiz or self-diagnosis tool, the next step is to schedule an appointment with a professional.
Withdrawal Symptoms Of Masturbation Addiction
As you commit yourself to being a No Fap person, you might witness some withdrawal symptoms of Masturbation. Some common withdrawal signs are bursts of increased urges and temptations to give in, sudden and awkward erections can become quite frequent for some time, and you might witness a few Night Discharges .
Some other masturbation withdrawal symptoms are depression, anxiety, shame or feeling of guilt, start feeling irritable, and restlessness. However, staying true to your motives, and dedicated to a better, healthier, and awesome life, will gradually help eradicate all these symptoms, and youll get addicted once again, to living life to its full, in manners that are not marked by lust or disgust!
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The Guilt Associated With Masturbation
People may feel guilty about masturbation as a result of religious, cultural or spiritual reasons. You should know that masturbation is neither immoral nor wrong. This does not eliminate instances where it is tagged as shameful and dirty. If you ever feel guilty while masturbating, it is only ideal that you discuss with an expert. Some people are specialists in issues relating to sexual health.
Impact Of Too Much Masturbation
There are no particularly debilitating aspects of excessive masturbation. This does not mean that too much masturbation is without consequences.
Dangerous Impact of Excessive Masturbation on Ones Health Includes:
- Depression caused by negative feelings about moral values and spiritual beliefs
- It may lead to reduced sexual sensitivity
The individual in question might need a therapist to proffer the right treatment regimen or refer the addict to a support group.
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What Causes Masturbation Addiction
Most women discover masturbation on their own. This can lead to a healthy level of sexual exploration and masturbation. However, this can easily spiral out of control and create a habitual pattern of sexual deviance or chronic masturbation.
There are many different things that can cause or contribute to a masturbation addiction for women. Here are a few examples of some of the underlying causes of masturbation addiction.
Does Masturbation Have Side Effects
Yes, excessive masturbation does come with a lot of side effects both physical and mental.
- Physical side effects: Physically speaking, excessive masturbation can result in Oedema, guilt feeling and skin irritation. Oedema refers to body parts swelling due to infection or inflammation. Gripping the penis tightly can cause swelling that can be dangerous. It can cause skin tears and skin irritation. It can also lead to extreme feelings of guilt that can make the person feel sad or feel negative about themselves. This could lead to depression, phobia and also affects the way he/she behaves in society.
- Mental side effects: Psychologically speaking, excessive masturbation is the fight on the inside. Your perception of certain phenomena begin to change and you would witness behavioural changes such as religious views being deferred, poor sexual communication, unnecessary sexual conflicts with your partner and relationship issues.
NOTE: Consult a doctor before this sickness consumes you. Remember that doing it is healthy and good for every human, but excessively doing it can cause further complications.
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Treatment Of Masturbation Addiction
Like all addictions and habits, this one has impacts and side effects as well. Scores of vital nutrients, vitamins, and minerals are drained down the drains or wrapped up in tissues to be disposed of. Your immunity power takes a strong blow and you have left a bit weaker apart from the regret faced later on.
So, prevention is always better than cure –
Quite a few people, who have joined the No Fap online community and committed themselves to not indulging in self pleasure have reported increased levels of focus, increased stamina, higher confidence levels, and even easier access to sex! If you are currently fap-free, remember this is what you have, and dont lower your quality of life!
Don’t indulge in the random enjoyment of deriving pleasure through imaginations and other peoples indulgences. Be with your true self.
Does The Problem Differ Between Males And Females
There isnt much difference between masturbation addiction in men and women. Both sexes generally pleasure themselves with the penis until they get an orgasm. Society tends to be more receptive to male masturbation as opposed to females. It all has a lot to do with how sexual liberty is perceived differently in men and women. Thus, many women shy away from talking about their sexual fantasies because of how society may judge them.
Studies show that more men masturbate than women. In a publication of The Social Organization of Sexuality, a group of researchers reported that after interviewing almost 3000 people, they found out that 41.7% of the women had masturbated that year compared to 63.3% of the men.
According to the by Samuel and Cynthia Janus, 10% of the women who participated in their survey say they often masturbate . For men, the percentage was 25%.
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What Is Compulsive Masturbation
One thing that characterizes all compulsive behavior is the lack of impulse control. In addition, there are repetitious thoughts that drive the person to perform sexual acts. Its similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder in that it begins with obsessive thoughts and leads to the compulsion to act on the thoughts. However, with compulsive masturbation, or any other compulsive sexual behavior, the thoughts involve sexual fantasies and urges.
How To Get Help For A Loved One
When helping a loved one it is always important to be as informed about the disorder as possible while remaining as supportive as possible. Part of this means shedding judgment, which may ultimately shame your loved one. As research has indicated, most people masturbate or have at one point in their lives.5 The act in-and-of itself is normal. It is also important to consider the underlying factors contributing toward this condition becoming an addiction.
It is likely that your loved one is struggling in other areas of life. By showing support and being actively engaged in the recovery process, the likelihood of one recovering is increased. Helping a loved one requires much more than telling the other to just stop and setting boundaries it requires being there in a supportive role.
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Causes Of Pornography Addiction
Due to the controversy surrounding the idea of pornography addiction, researchers have yet to identify a clear set of causes.
A 2015 study found that believing oneself to be addicted to pornography, not actual pornography use, was the more significant cause of associated distress.
This suggests that the very idea that porn addiction exists could be a major cause of the anxiety that some people experience when viewing porn.
Meanwhile, experts and advocates who endorse the existence of pornography addiction argue that, like other addictions, this is a complex issue with a range of possible causes. Some of these causes may include:
- Underlying mental health conditions: A person might use pornography to escape psychological distress.
- Relationship problems: Pornography can be an outlet for sexual dissatisfaction.
- Unhealthy cultural norms: Ideas about how people should look and behave during sex, the types of sex that a person should enjoy, and similar norms may draw some people to pornography.
- Biological causes: Certain biological factors, including changes in brain chemistry when a person views porn, may increase the risk of addiction.
The Misconception Of Penile Shrinking
Theres no single origin to the pervasive myth that masturbation causes penis shrinkage. But people definitely have theories none of which stand up to the rigor of scientific inquiry.
One possible source is the notion that ejaculation reduces your testosterone levels. Many people also believe that testosterone levels are responsible for making your penis grow and shrink.
So by extension, having less testosterone would imply a smaller penis. But thats wrong.
Here are the two primary reasons this is false:
- Testosterone levels fall only briefly after you ejaculate. They go up temporarily when you masturbate or have sex. Then, they go back to normal levels after you ejaculate. But masturbating doesnt affect serumtestosterone levels, the amount of testosterone that naturally occurs in your bloodstream, in the long term.
- Testosterone levels have almost nothing to do with your penis size or your erections. Your penis size is affected primarily by your . Your ability to get and keep erections is affected by more than just testosterone your state of mind, your diet, your lifestyle, and your overall health can all affect your erections.
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How Is Masturbation Addiction Diagnosed
There are no certain tools or tests available to conclude. The only way to diagnose is to collect the patient’s history, your doctor may ask you about the frequency, intensity, pre and post triggers, family history, or any traumatic experience in the past which may have started the addiction.
It is important to seek the difference between addiction and healthy masturbation as regular masturbation is not called addiction until it starts to interfere with your and other’s personal or professional life.
Contact Bai To Learn More About Sex Addiction
How much is too much masturbation? At Begin Again Institute, we can help you determine if your masturbation habit has become an addiction. If so, we can help you create a plan for getting control of your life again. All you need to do is reach out to us to get more information or start healing today.
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How To Stop A Masturbation Addiction
This article was co-authored by Natalia S. David, PsyD. Dr. David is an Assistant Professor in Psychology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and a Psychiatry Consultant at Clements University Hospital and at Zale Lipshy University Hospital. She is a member of the Board of Behavioral Sleep Medicine, the Academy for Integrative Pain Management, and the American Psychological Associations Division of Health Psychology. In 2017, she received the Baylor Scott & White Research Institutes Podium Presentation Award and scholarship. She received her PsyD from Alliant International University in 2017 with an emphasis in Health Psychology.There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 13,423,255 times.
Masturbation happens in every culture, across every period of history, and it’s the way most adolescents discover what they enjoy before embarking on adult sexual relationships. Masturbation is a healthy and natural part of human sexuality and development. However, if you are unable to control your urge to masturbate or if frequent masturbation is interfering with your school, work, or social life, then it’s possible to gain control.
