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.
Set Goals & Mark Progress
Like anything else, quitting outright canat firstbe seemingly impossible. Begin by cutting down the number of times per day incrementally. This may be done daily or weekly, but the intention is for the behavior to decrease to the desired goal in a timely fashion. Setting practical SMART goals can help here.
As progress occurs, confidence will be built. And yes, it does become easier with time. Setbacks are likely and can be discouraging however, you are the only you who can ultimately get yourself back on track.
When Masturbation Becomes Problematic
Masturbation becomes a problem when it starts to interfere with your values in life, Prause says. For example: You value your sexual connection with your partner, but youre masturbating so much that every time they initiate sex, you cant achieve an erection. Or perhaps youre masturbating to avoid difficult emotions or conflict with your partner.
Other times, people are simply distressed by their masturbation habits. They think its a problem because of what it says about who they are, Prause says. They believe it makes them immoral, or unfaithful to their partner. Their viewing habits themselves arent the problem, Prause says. But she would consider this type of porn consumption problematic because of its negative impact on the mental health of the individual.
Still, abstinence is not the solution to a masturbation problem, Prause cautions. She considers an abstinence model worse than problematic porn consumption itself. Thats because when people relapse, it leaves them feeling even worse, she says.
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Download A Porn Blocker For Your Laptop And Phone
Get a porn blocker on both your laptop and your phone and let your accountability partner or someone you trust set up your password.
The internets pervasiveness makes quitting masturbation an extra challenging task. Thats because you are often only a few clicks away from your favorite porn site.
Noah Church, author and counselor for porn and masturbation fairly stated, Recovery from pornography addiction in this technological age is like recovering from alcoholism with a flask of liquor always in your pocket.
Setting up your environment the right way makes it easier not to rely on your willpowers limited resources and makes it much more likely for you to succeed.
What To Do If You Want To Reduce Masturbation
If you feel you might be experiencing masturbation compulsion or addiction, the first step is to consider discussing it with a therapist or other mental health professional.
Keep in mind that all health professionals practice complete confidentiality, and nothing you talk about will go beyond you and your therapist.
Treatment options for masturbation compulsion or addiction include psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, to identify the root cause of the behavior. You and your therapist can then work together to create coping strategies and ways to reduce or eliminate compulsive masturbation.
Things you can do yourself to reduce your time spent masturbating include:
- avoiding triggers such as pornography
- engage in other activities like exercise or new hobbies
- spend more time with others in social situations
- examine how you deal with stress and emotional discomfort and adopt new coping strategies
- break it down into a manageable goal by handling one urge at a time
You could also seek out a support group either in person or online to have a safe place to discuss your concerns and learn new ways to manage sexual behaviors.
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Negotiate With Your Compulsive Masturbation Urges
The urge to masturbate can sometimes be so relentless that its sensation can hijack your inner dialogue. It rationalizes excuses and tells you things like, Come on, itll feel great, just one time, Youll start tomorrow, Everyone does it, Its not that big of a deal, and the more you resist it the more it persists.
Its true that masturbation will feel good in the moment however, you need to remember that this urge doesnt tell you the whole story.
Many people react to their cravings unconsciously. In the moment of temptation, you end up forgetting the long term pain this compulsive behavior causes you.
Instead of listening to your urges, try remembering that your emotions are not a reliable representation of reality. Expect false rationalizations to come along the way, and pay close attention to what your mind tells you in these moments of weakness.
Instead of instantly acting on your emotions, take stock of your excuses and prepare a list of responses ahead of time.
For example, when you say, Everyone does it. Think to yourself, That doesnt mean that its a good idea. Thats just some unfounded excuse that my mind is telling me.
Or when your inner dialog says, Just start tomorrow. Be skeptical and wonder, Why tomorrow?This can go on for a month if I let it get to my head,I will not procrastinate or make up excuses.
This will allow you to consciously evaluate if the action you are about to take is actually in your best interest.
Causes Of Masturbation Addiction
Simply put Its all in the mind! Masturbation promotes the release of certain hormones that naturally provide sexual gratification and a sense of satisfaction. Now, this gets addictive because people either find pornography so appealing that they neglect the real-life indulgences, or they take masturbation and the associated gratification and satisfaction as an alternative to depression, lack of normal sexual activity, or an escape from their mental and social pressures.
Some people might require a lower level of hormones for their sexual gratification, and thus they find the activity of masturbation more comforting. Thus, in this self woven paradise of lustful imaginations and self-loathing satiations, they find temporary solace in the domain of their very limited and trivial existence, leaving out real-world worries and joys!
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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.
Street Methods On How To Stop Masturbation Addiction Permanently
- Find a Partner
This definitely would not sound right to a lot of people but lets face it: if you were in a sexual relationship with someone, would you still masturbate?
If you answered no, then find a partner or get married if you are really prepared.
So many live in denial. They tell you about how they dont want to get involved in sexual immorality with anyone yet they cant do without masturbation.
These sets of people consider sex as a sin and masturbation as not being a sin.
I believe that sex is sex whether done alone or with someone. If you must have sex, find a partner and not yourself.
- Readjust Your Standard
So many people would not consider masturbation as a way out if they were married or in a sexual relationship.
And the reason why some are not in a relationship is that they are too picky or have high standards.
Well, its good to have great standards but when your expectation of people keeps you for so long single and no one to mingle with, you might want to have a review of what your standard is.
Wrapping Up
Masturbation is increasingly becoming an issue which requires more attention.
Ironically as it sounds, more youths are looking for how to stop masturbation addiction permanently. They are becoming more helpless.
The solutions we have proffered in this post will help you make strong decisions thus, break free from the shackles of this terrible habit.
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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.
Develop Strategies To Break Unhealthy Behavioral Patterns
Some people masturbate compulsively as part of their daily routine on a regular schedule like clockwork, when they wake up, before bed, and when theyre in a specific place and some thing happens, or when they experience an uncomfortable feeling, says Fran Walfish, a relationship and family psychologist.
A doctor or sex therapist can help you identify triggers for compulsive masturbation and steps you can take to break bad habits.
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Be Patient With Yourself
You didnt start compulsively masturbating all at once, so the solution wont come immediately, either. Be patient with the process of behavioral change, and dont add to any unnecessary guilt or shame about your masturbation habits by beating yourself up if you hit stumbling blocks along the way.
Remember, theres nothing wrong with masturbating. Youre not trying to give it up forever, but rather to change masturbation from a compulsion to a healthy, normal behavior that can enhance, rather than taking the place of, sexuality involving others.
Masturbation can be one of the ultimate forms of self-love, says Rose. It can be a way to get to know yourself better from a physical, emotional and psychological perspective. You can learn what you like best so that you can show your current or future partners the best way to satisfy you. Its also very empowering to know that the source of your pleasure is in your own hands and that you arent dependent on someone else to provide pleasure for you.
What Are The Possible Causes
Excessive masturbation can sometimes occur in people with certain health conditions such as Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder .
Some drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, and certain prescription medications for Parkinsons disease can also lead to an increase in self-stimulation.
Aside from health conditions, drugs, and prescription medications, other factors that might lead to compulsive masturbation include:
- a history of sexual or physical abuse
- a family history of behavioral addictions
- living with cultural or religious expectations
- ease of accessibility to pornography
One study found that the hormone oxytocin and altered DNA pathways in the brain might play a role in hypersexual disorder, a condition also characterized by compulsive sexual behavior. Further research is needed, but scientists suggest this discovery could lead to new treatment options.
Overwhelming evidence suggests masturbation has no real negative side effects for most people. Still, if it becomes excessive, it can cause:
- emotional and psychological distress
- irritated skin on or around the genitals
- problems with performance when engaging in sex with a partner
- intimate partner relationship difficulties
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Talk About It With Your Romantic Partner Or Trusted Others
It can help to speak openly about a problem with masturbation with a romantic partner or someone else you trust. These individuals may provide emotional support while helping you track your progress. Although the topic is taboo in many cases and uncomfortable to talk about, it is likely that whoever you choose to talk to currently masturbates or has done so in the past. No longer feeling alone can be a relief in-and-of itself.
With romantic partners, it is important to be on the same page. Physical intimacy, whatever it looks like, is an important part of any relationship. Perhaps this is lacking in the relationship. In other cases, it may be an issue of performance anxiety or other negative thoughts and emotions. Whatever the case, addressing the root cause is often the first step to creating change. Whether individually or as couples, sex therapy can be helpful in moving forward.
How To Stop Masturbating: 7 Simple Strategies To Prevent Masturbation
Most people masturbate. If you are reading this, then you probably do it too.
So why would you stop masturbating? In recent times a lot of research has found that masturbation in excess can, in fact, be harmful to your brain.
If want to know how to stop masturbating, here are a few telltale signs that might allow you to self-assess your masturbation habit.
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Work On Anything Else That Needs Work
While focusing on decreasing or stopping masturbating, it helps to work on anything else that needs work. Diverting your attention toward other areas of need lessens the focus on masturbation while leading toward overall life improvements. This may include going to school or interviewing for a new job. Or it may be something socialenhancing quality relationships with others. All of us have something we would like to improve. Whatever that is, build a healthy goal around it and proceed accordingly.
Chronic Masturbation And Its Effects On Your Brain
If you want to know how to stop masturbating, you need to familiarize yourself with a chemical compound called dopamine.
Why is learning about dopamine important, you ask?
Dopamine is a key chemical in your brains reward circuit responsible for motivation. Often referred to as the “happy chemical,” dopamine rewards you for behaviors that are important for survival, such as seeking food, drinking water, finding a mate, or even exercising.
Chronic masturbation and especially porn affects your brains reward system
This means that with enough repetition, porn has the potential to rewire your brains tendency of pursuing natural rewarding behaviors like finding a real partner to simply masturbating even more to porn.
Over time chronic masturbation can unfold into a vicious feedback loop. You become addicted to the dopamine that is pumped into your system every time you masturbate, so you want to do it again.
It doesnt stop there.
The chemical imbalances caused by excessive masturbation can lead to many negative side-effects. Some include, but are not limited to, feelings of depression, social anxiety, and even an inability to form healthy relationships with others.
Simply put, your brain is not designed to handle so much stimulation. Studies have shown that porn consumption has real neurological repercussions that are likely to affect every facet of your life.
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How Excessive Masturbation Can Affect Your Life
Excessive porn consumption and masturbation addiction comes with a wide array of negative mental and physical effects. There are numerous studies linking poor mental and emotional health to porn use.
Because masturbation interferes with the brain’s reward center, it effectively numbs you towards everyday pleasures. Things like pursuing your personal goals become uninteresting, and your life begins to seem dull.
You know you’re masturbating excessively if you can relate to a few of the signs below.
Staying Busy And Focused
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