I think I’m addicted to porn

[Teeee]

Hi! I’m an 18 year old girl and I think I’m addicted to prom. I’m always thinking about it and I just always want to watch something, even when I don’t feel like it. I’m really tired of the way it makes me feel and I just really want to stop but I don’t know how:(

Any advice would be great:)

[Sam W]

Hi Teeee,

Just to clarify, is it that you're specifically thinking of porn (either the act of watching it or a particular video), or is it more that you're having sexual thoughts and fantasies that remind you of porn?

Too, when you feel the urge to watch it, even when you're not otherwise into the idea, does that urge go away quickly? Or does it hang around?

[Teeee]

Hii:)

I actually don’t think of porn specifically, I think I just have sexual thoughts that drag me to it. Most times the urge stays for a while and I always look for things to distract me but it doesn’t usually work out so good.

[Sam W]

Got it, thanks for clarifying. In that case, what you're describing sounds like it's within the normal bell curve of thinking about sex. Thinking about sex frequently, or feeling aroused, is not a sign that something is wrong. Too, you'll likely find that how much you think about those things ebbs and flows based on other things going on in your life. However, if you notice that you're masturbating or watching porn in a way that feels like a compulsion (in other words, you feel like you can't control it) that would be a sign of an underlying issue.

If you notice arousal at times where you can't, or don't want to, do anything about it, you're on the right track with looking for other things to focus on. Sometimes it also helps to acknowledge the feeling and then let it go.

[Teeee]

Oh alright. Thanks for that. I was starting to think there is something wrong with me

[Sam W]

You're welcome! You definitely not the first person to worry that you were thinking about sex "too much." The truth is, how much we think about sex varies from person to person, and for each of us individually throughout our lives. The only time it becomes "too much" is if things like masturbating or watching porn are keeping you from doing things you need to (like work, school, or spending time in your relationships), or are coming from a place of compulsion.