Masturbation addiction is real and is becoming a world-leading issue as many people are coming forward with it. We have listed 5 things you need to know about masturbation addiction if you want to stop doing it.
- An addiction to masturbation or sex isn’t considered an ‘addiction’
Yes, rather, these behaviours are considered a compulsion.
So, if we are talking about the technical side of things, experts do not consider excessive masturbation as a ‘masturbation addiction’; rather, they call it compulsive sexual behaviour.
Other types of similar behaviour may be hypersexuality or out-of-control sexual behaviour (OCSB). These all fall under the category of behavioural issues rather than mental health issues.
Be that as it may, it is true that some people have debated about it and tried to push excessive masturbation to be recognised medically as an addiction.
But when you think about the compulsive way a masturbation ‘addict’ deals with stress or anxiety through masturbating, it does seem this is not an addiction. You don’t call compulsive dog walking an addiction, right?
You’re just trying to cope with stress or other unpleasant emotions by doing something more relaxing.
- Masturbation addiction is not a clinical diagnosis, it only describes it
Even when talking about compulsive sexual behaviour, compulsive masturbation itself is still not a legit medical diagnosis. It helps to describe the situation and behaviours, but says nothing about the medical causes of such behaviour.
As per information from Healthline Media, the American Psychological Association (APA) does not consider masturbation to be an addictive behavior. Likewise, the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which serves as the authoritative guide for diagnosing mental health conditions, does not recognize masturbation addiction as a mental health disorder.
With that said, if you have concerns about masturbation addiction, your doctor will advise you to talk to a therapist.
Through talk therapy, your therapist will figure out if you are masturbating compulsively as a means to cope with negative emotions. Or maybe, there is a trauma that has caused you to behave this way.
Then, the therapist will work with you to find a resolution for that cause. When that cause is eliminated, then your compulsive behaviour can also be reduced, or eliminated.
In other cases, when other mental health issues like OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) or depression have occurred, you may be prescribed medication for those problems that also work to reduce your frequency of masturbation.
- Masturbation is not a problem until it causes other issues
Masturbation is generally not a bad thing to do. If anything, it does provide a number of health benefits. So, doing it on yourself every now and then should be considered part of your health maintenance.
However, if your excessive masturbation causes you to isolate yourself too often, run away or neglect duties in favour of masturbating, or that you behave indecently in public, then this may indeed be an issue.
You need to immediately seek professional counselling. If you already understand that this is not an illness per se, you can go straight to a talk therapist or sex counsellor for finding the right treatment for your compulsive masturbation.
It needs to be noted that not all compulsive behaviours can be treated the same way. Treatment and its success depends on your participation and also the kinds of personal issues you may be dealing with.
- Masturbation addiction may be a coping mechanism for other troubling emotions
Many experts have suggested that a person’s masturbation addiction may actually be a coping mechanism for other emotions or life crises that are hard to deal with.
For example, you may be dealing with stress or anxiety; maybe it is related to work or school, and as a coping mechanism for all the negative emotions you’re feeling you masturbate. You masturbate because it helps you to calm down or relax.
According to Choosing Therapy, the pleasurable sensation of masturbation is attributed to its stimulation of the body’s pleasure centers, leading to the release of feel-good chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin. These hormones play a crucial role in promoting relaxation, reducing stress and anxiety, and fostering a sense of overall well-being and happiness.
So, if perhaps this is the case, and you need to talk to a doctor to really get to the bottom of it, your doctor will help you to navigate through those emotions in other ways.
Ways that are considered less compulsive and better than frequent masturbation. Such behavioural changes require talk therapy or cognitive behavioural therapy and they often take a lot of time to heal.
Therapy can usually take weeks or months.
- You can heal your addiction yourself
It has been mentioned that excessive masturbation is not an illness in itself. As such, it is possible to also heal yourself from this behaviour, or should we say, reduce the frequency of your doing it.
However, it needs to be noted that masturbation itself is not a problem and engaging in it frequently isn’t either.
Excessive masturbation becomes a problem when the behaviour causes your relationships to be strained or your studies and other duties neglected. Still, if you are able to identify your own triggers, you can slowly learn to navigate them.
Eventually, you will be able to come up with a better coping mechanism instead of going straight to masturbation. Or better yet, you could even remove the triggers altogether. You need patience with yourself though.
And if trying to help yourself doesn’t suffice, a doctor is always going to lend an ear. They are after pros; they hear your concerns all the time.
According to Choosing Therapy, it is possible to overcome compulsive masturbating through a suitable process of recovery and maintenance. While there is no outright cure, remaining consistent and intentional in your efforts can bring about significant rewards in the form of a fulfilling and successful life, free from the constant associated urges and behaviors.
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- May create marital disharmony
Excessive self-indulgence could cause tension if you are in a relationship. You may ignore teamwork in partnered mutual manipulation of sexual organs.
Still, you could emphasize your side being fulfilled without caring about the feelings of your partner.
In other instances though, you may avoid the process of partnered sex, including foreplay, body pleasuring activities, arousal moves, and penetrative sex. Instead, you’d be more focused consistently on your masturbation.
Yet, you could stop effective communication and bonding activities as you dwell on single-handedly satisfying your insatiable masturbation urge.
In some circumstances, you may only be interested in the high brought about by orgasm and ejaculation. In this case, you go straight to your phallus without caring about your partner’s emotions.
But all these issues still prevent you and your partner from deriving sexual satisfaction.
Your partner may thus complain about lower emotional fulfillment as well as poor self-esteem, destroying marital harmony.
- A sex therapist can help
Excessive masturbation addiction is not considered a medical condition. The American Psychology Association and the medical Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-5) don’t categorize additive masturbation as an issue.
Instead, they refer to it as compulsive masturbation. Hence there is no medical issue causing obsession with masturbation.
Instead, it’s a coping mechanism for other underlying factors. Still, it’s a problem when you prioritize this self-gratification over more important responsibilities.
When you masturbate to distress from normal anxiety or stressful condition, then you are avoiding the problem and gratifying the high brought about by this indulgence.
A sex therapist may deduce if this obsession is brought about by mental health issues. Depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder all trigger compulsive behavior.
In this case, they prescribe medication to treat the root cause of this trigger. Still, they may offer psychological counseling to overcome this tendency.
But you must be willing to follow through with the therapy.
In conclusion, we provided five things you must know about masturbation addiction and how it can negatively impact a person’s physical and mental well-being. We hope you can improve your knowledge and adopt healthy habits to avoid this addiction.
SIMILAR QUESTION
Are You Masturbating Too Much?
Introduction
Masturbation is a natural and healthy sexual activity that has been practiced for centuries. It is an important part of sexual development, and it has numerous physical and psychological benefits. Despite these benefits, there is a growing concern that people may be masturbating too much. This paper will explore the topic of excessive masturbation, discussing the potential risks and benefits associated with this behavior.
Definition of Excessive Masturbation
Masturbation is generally considered to be excessive when it is practiced more than three times a week. Frequent masturbation has been linked to a number of physical and psychological problems, including fatigue, anxiety, and depression. In some cases, it can also lead to erectile dysfunction in men.
Physical Risks of Excessive Masturbation
Excessive masturbation can have a negative impact on the body. It can lead to soreness of the genitals, which can interfere with sexual pleasure. In addition, frequent masturbation can lead to skin irritation and even infection. It can also lead to dehydration, fatigue, and headaches.
Psychological Risks of Excessive Masturbation
Excessive masturbation can have a negative impact on mental health as well. It can lead to feelings of guilt and shame, as well as feelings of low self-esteem. It can also interfere with relationships, as it can create a sense of isolation from others. In some cases, excessive masturbation may even lead to addiction.
Benefits of Masturbation
Despite the potential risks of excessive masturbation, it can also have a number of benefits. It can help to reduce stress and anxiety, and it can also help to improve self-esteem. Masturbation can also help to improve sexual performance, as it can increase blood flow to the genitals and help to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Additionally, it can help to prevent premature ejaculation.
Conclusion
Masturbation is a normal and healthy sexual activity that can have both physical and psychological benefits. However, it is important to be aware of the potential risks of excessive masturbation. While there is no definitive answer as to how much is “too much”, it is generally recommended to limit masturbation to no more than three times a week. By doing so, you can enjoy the benefits of masturbation while minimizing the potential risks.
