Theo 47 years. He has a job, a daughter and many friends. It may seem that he leads a perfectly normal life, but as Theo can remember, he always struggled with the problem. He masturbated. A lot.
“There was a time when it only took 15-20 minutes a day, and other days I did it for 8, 10 even 12 hours,” says Theo. He also admits that, should he start, he can not stop.
“For me it’s always been that way to cope with stress, stresses Theo. — Similar to how someone comes to the bar for a drink, and behind it goes second, third, and after the sixth person understands that he has a problem. But everything else I kept it under control!”
Theo went to a therapist, where his fears were confirmed: the doctor diagnosed him of pornosvideos. But to admit that you have a problem that needs to be solved is just the first step on the path to a healthy life.
Masturbation in itself is not a problem. It not only gives pleasure, but also healthy. Studies have shown that regular Masturbation improves the immune system, reduces cancer risk and certainly increase the libido.
But for a small percentage of men (only 3-5% of the total population) passion to this occupation goes a little beyond reasonable, it’s a bad habit, like Smoking or alcohol.
Although this condition in the media often used the term “sex addiction” in itself, the presence of such a diagnosis is questionable. Many doctors and psychotherapists doubt that “sex addiction” is relevant to mental health.
But, whatever it was, compulsive Masturbation adversely affects human life, it is hard to deny, so some experts use the term “uncontrolled sexual behavior”: this includes compulsive viewing of pornography, use of the services of sex workers or persistent adultery.
Many people may not appreciate how serious their problem. “Often my clients describe themselves as “sex-dependent”, when you feel guilty to watch porn twice a week, although he had promised his partners not to do,” says Sari Cooper, founder and Director of the Center of love and sex in new York.
But, as in the case of eating disorders, sexual disorders affect more complex areas of life than just the intimate sphere.
“Due to the fact that I had a traumatic experience which intensified my sexuality at too early an age, watching porn and Masturbation has turned into a means to cope with anxiety,” says Theo.
Because Theo realized that he d crossed that line where just enjoying a good Masturbation became a mania?
The good news is that if you just often masturbate, it doesn’t make you prone to mania. But if you use Masturbation as a way to escape from anxiety — it is a Wake-up call.
Theo felt that because of his bad habits he is withdrawing from the family. Being a workaholic, he used pornography as a means to switch to. During the worst days of Theo masturbated for 12 hours a day. Accordingly, he had not so much time for other entertainment.
“I realized that my behavior had a negative impact on my quality of life and attitude towards intimate life. My family was broken, I feel like I’m not living real life. Huge spans of time was lost, and the same energy that before, I never had”.
Fortunately, compulsive sexual behavior is treatable. The key will be recognizing that you have a problem, you need to say it out loud — and only then to look for the source of the problem and to regain control over their own sexuality.