Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A growing number of individuals are grappling with severe porn addiction, which is increasingly straining family relationships and pushing many to seek psychiatric help. Experts warn that the compulsive consumption of porn is not only a personal struggle but also a societal concern, as it leads to emotional, psychological and even physical consequences.
A recent case involved a 70-year-old man whose addiction to porn led to disturbing behaviour, causing humiliation for his family. The man reportedly engaged in inappropriate behaviour towards his maid and sister-in-law and sent explicit material to female relatives via social media. His actions led to complaints to his children and even police involvement.
In another instance, a mother was devastated to discover her daughter’s addiction to porn. The discovery of sex toys in her daughter’s wardrobe caused severe anxiety, leaving the mother on the brink of collapse when she sought psychiatric help. A wife sought professional assistance after growing frustrated with her husband’s incessant demand to mimic acts he saw in pornographic videos.
Another woman revealed that her husband’s addiction led to physical abuse, as he tried to replicate violent behaviour portrayed in porn. Consulting psychiatrist Dr Satyakant Trivedi said porn addiction was underreported due to societal stigma and lack of sex education. “We don’t discuss sex in families or schools, and the only source of information becomes porn, which serves as a terrible teacher”. He said dopamine rush triggered by watching porn created harmful dependency, making individuals turn to it repeatedly for gratification. He expressed urgent need for open conversations about sex and relationships within families and schools.
Consequences of porn addiction
1.Masturbatory guilt: Many individuals develop guilt, believing their actions are sinful or wrong.
2. Sexual dysfunction: Addicted individuals often struggle to find satisfaction in real life relationships, leading to further reliance on porn.
3. Reward system disruption: The body’s natural reward system activated by achievements or healthy relationships, becomes hijacked by porn, creating a vicious cycle of addiction.
4. Socio-occupational dysfunction: Addicts may withdraw from social interactions, lose interest in work and isolate themselves from family and friends.
Treatment for porn addiction:
The treatment for addiction is tailored to individual’s specific needs. It often involves a combination of medication, therapy and lifestyle adjustments to address psychological and physiological aspects of addiction.
Key approaches include:
1. Medication and counselling: For cases involving obsessive and compulsive tendencies, doctors may prescribe medications.
Followed by counselling sessions, which help individuals understand the root cause of their addiction and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
Dopamine redirection: Encouraging alternative activities like exercise, mindfulness practices and yoga to replace the dopamine rush previously linked to pornography.
Digital boundaries: Setting limits on screen time, such as using phones or laptops only for specific purposes.
Social monitoring: Monitoring healthy relationships with peers, family and social groups to rebuild trust and emotional connections.
Educational resources: In some cases, doctors recommend reading materials that provide insight into overcoming addiction and promoting mental well-being.
