{"id":3,"date":"2012-02-08T00:51:00","date_gmt":"2012-02-08T00:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/mormontherapist\/2012\/02\/pornography-as-an-addiction\/"},"modified":"2012-02-08T00:51:00","modified_gmt":"2012-02-08T00:51:00","slug":"pornography-as-an-addiction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/mormontherapist\/2012\/02\/pornography-as-an-addiction.html","title":{"rendered":"Pornography as an addiction?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>
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I\u2019d be interested in hearing your perspective on pornography and its addictive nature.\u00a0 I\u2019ve heard that it can change the brain more then alcoholism. <\/div>\n

Pornography use in terms of the word \u201caddiction\u201d is a complicated and highly debated issue in the mental health arena.\u00a0 There are pros and cons to the label \u201caddiction.\u201d\u00a0 On the one hand it can be shaming and often misused when not diagnosed correctly.\u00a0 On the other hand, when behavior is out of one\u2019s control to stop, it can be helpful to understand this as an issue much more complicated than exerting enough willpower.\u00a0 Some notes:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. In the Diagnostic Criteria Manual \u2013 where the criteria for diagnoses are spelled out \u2013 the term \u201caddiction\u201d is not used.\u00a0 There is \u201csubstance dependance\u201d which is referring to dependence of an ingested substance<\/b> such as alcohol, narcotics, nicotine, etc.\u00a0 There is also another category called \u201cimpulse-control disorders\u201d which speaks to certain maladaptive behaviors<\/b> that are used in ways that feel out of one\u2019s control (i.e. gambling, pulling out one\u2019s hair, shopping, etc.).\u00a0 I use the second diagnosis when addressing issues with pornography. \u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n
  2. Some of the things that should be present for an \u201cimpulse-control disorder\u201d are a preoccupation with the behavior (i.e. incessantly thinking about it); increasing sense of tension (i.e. anxiety) before behavior is acted out;\u00a0 has repeated, unsuccessful efforts to cut back or stop behavior; uses behavior as a coping mechanism for other problems or emotions (i.e. depression, guilt, anger, relational difficulty, etc.); lies about or tries to cover up behavior; has committed illegal acts to support behavior; and has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job or educational opportunity due to behavior.\u00a0 One problem in diagnosing a true disorder from other behavior is that items 1-5 can also have to do with religious pressure to conform to high sexual standards.\u00a0 In other words, a member of the church may read these criteria and diagnose themselves as having an impulse-control disorder when the frequency of said behavior is minimal and would not meet the standards for diagnoses (i.e. single adult looks at porn once every few months).\u00a0 I\u2019m not saying this behavior isn\u2019t problematic, especially in light of their religious values \u2013 but it isn\u2019t a mental health disorder.\u00a0 Classifying it as such can, in some cases, become a self-fulfilling prophecy in that they worry about it more and more and the anxiety now provides the pathways and link to impulsivity. \u00a0 <\/li>\n
  3. It can be helpful to phrase impulse-control disorders in \u201caddict\u201d language so the seriousness of brain pathology is taken into account when behavior is diagnosable.\u00a0 In other words, you won\u2019t be able to stop impulsive behavior just because you love somebody.\u00a0 I hear these pleas from spouses or other family members often: \u201cif you really loved me, you would stop doing something that hurts me.\u201d\u00a0 It is important to understand that brain chemistry is involved in complex ways that many neuroscientists are currently trying to better understand.\u00a0 This has nothing to do with whether or not one loves another person. \u00a0 <\/li>\n
  4. Shame is a huge problem in that it plays a role in all types of addictive behavior. \u00a0 It is interesting to note that most people who qualify for sexual maladaptive behavioral diagnoses (i.e. \u201csexual addiction\u201d as our culture is currently calling it) come from what we call \u201crigid\u201d families.\u00a0 Meaning there was little tolerance for variance and a lot of \u201call or nothing\u201d type of thinking.\u00a0 Unfortunately, depending on parenting styles and ecclesiastical styles of leaders, many traditionally religious households can fall under this category.\u00a0<\/li>\n
  5. The DSM-IV is currently under revision and it will be interesting to see how or if \u201csexual addiction\u201d is addressed in light of the most recent evidence-based research. \u00a0<\/li>\n
  6. It is interesting that one of the current therapy models getting a lot of attention when it comes to treatment of impulsive behavior\/compulsions is ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) which, simplified, focuses on accepting your feelings and thoughts instead of trying to change them (a form of mindfulness).\u00a0 Somewhat similar are the 12-step programs that focus on an abandonment to a higher being instead of depending on yourself for change.\u00a0 If change was as simple as wanting it, well \u2013 all of us would have significantly different things currently going on.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Yes, porn affects the brain.\u00a0 So do roller coaster rides.\u00a0 So do a lot of things.\u00a0 And yes, pornography viewing can become impulsive behavior warranting a diagnosis \u2013 getting in the way of daily functioning or relational health \u2013 these are very real issues.\u00a0 At the same time \u2013 the rigid stance and fear inducing language we use surrounding pornography also play a role on how much power it has in the end.\u00a0 In our religious culture we don\u2019t normalize erotica at all and we don\u2019t normalize arousal that happens naturally when we see something erotic or pornographic.\u00a0 This, in my opinion, is also dangerous.\u00a0 As is labeling curious teens \u2013 or adults who look at pornography intermittently for a variety of reasons \u2013 as addicts.\u00a0 Finding a balanced approach to the education of the effects of pornography, the correct usage of diagnostic terms and the treatment of such disorders when they do exist is a challenge I hope we do a better job at as we come to know more about a healthy, balanced approach to sexuality as a whole. <\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    I\u2019d be interested in hearing your perspective on pornography and its addictive nature.\u00a0 I\u2019ve heard that it can change the brain more then alcoholism. Pornography use in terms of the word \u201caddiction\u201d is a complicated and highly debated issue in the mental health arena.\u00a0 There are pros and cons to the label \u201caddiction.\u201d\u00a0 On the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":766,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nPornography as an addiction?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"I'd be interested in hearing your perspective on pornography and its addictive nature.  I've heard that it can change the brain more then alcoholism.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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