Do You Have a Porn Problem?

From Treating Pornography by Dr.Kevin B. Skinner

Dependence is an uncontrollable compulsion to repeat a behavior regardless of its negative consequences. Here are some signs that indicate you may have a problem with pornography.

1. Recurrent failure to resist impulses to view pornography.

2. More extensive viewing of pornography than intended. 

3. Unsuccessful attempts to stop, reduce, or control pornography use.

4. Spending a significant amount of time obtaining, viewing, masturbating, and recovering from pornography.

5. Planning, fantasizing, and strategizing ways to view pornography or preoccupied with sexual thoughts related to pornography. 

6. Pornography behavior takes away time from obligations at work, school, family, friends, and chores.

7. Negative consequences ensue, but behaviors continue.

8. Tolerance to exposure. More frequent or intense pornography is needed over time to obtain the same result.

9. Deliberately limiting work, social, and other activities to make time for searching, viewing, and pleasuring yourself with pornography.

10. Withdrawal symptoms. Distress, restlessness, anxiety, or irritability if unable to use pornography. 

It is a strong indication of pornography dependence if you meet five out of the ten signs. Check out resources on pornography dependence. The following blog post will be about qualifying the behavior on the pornography dependence continuum.