Can You Be Addicted To Masturbating

“You’re lying in bed next to your partner when you start thinking about the other person with whom you had sex last night and how much you want them again right now.  Then you realize that you’ve been having this fantasy since you were twelve years old. It has only intensified over time, but you don’t know what to do. It feels so good to imagine yourself doing all sorts of things to the person you love — but maybe you should stop!
While masturbating addictively isn’t a diagnosable mental health condition (yet), it can have a significant impact on one’s daily functioning if their sexual behavior is out of control. After all, there are plenty of people who compulsively engage in behaviors like gambling, shopping, eating, exercise, alcohol consumption, etc., without experiencing any problems as a result. But why would anyone choose to masturbate more than once per day? If you think you might be addicted to masturbating, here are some signs to look out for.
Signs Of A Masturbation Addiction
First off, let me define exactly what I mean by “”addiction”” in relation to masturbation. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) states that an addictive disorder means that “”the individual experiences impaired control over [his]…behaviors.”” In other words, an addictive behavior will cause a negative outcome for someone engaging in that behavior. For example, they may experience harm to themselves or others. With regard to masturbation, this could include:
Feeling dissatisfied with masturbation because it doesn’t feel enough
Feeling guilty after indulging in masturbation
Stress related to feeling unable to masturbate
Reliving past fantasies while masturbating
Wishing to masturbate at times when it would be inappropriate
Exhibiting certain behaviors during masturbation sessions that seem obsessive
Obsessive thoughts related to masturbation
If these symptoms sound familiar, then it might be worth exploring whether you’re suffering from an addiction to masturbating. Here are some questions to help determine whether you’re dealing with a problem:
How often do you masturbate? Is it every single day?
Do you ever feel bad about masturbating? Does it make you anxious or depressed?
Is masturbation always pleasurable? Do you sometimes feel bored or unsatisfied?
Have you ever felt driven to masturbate despite knowing it was unhealthy/unproductive? Have you ever lied to family members or friends about how often you masturbated?
Are you aware of how much time you spend masturbating each week? Are you able to recognize which activities lead up to masturbating? Do you ever find yourself wanting to masturbate when you’re away from home?
Has masturbation become an activity you dread or something you avoid altogether?
The above list is certainly not exhaustive, but it gives an idea of how masturbation can affect our lives. And yes, it is possible to get addicted to masturbating just like we can get hooked on anything else. However, keep reading to learn how to overcome a masturbation addiction.
Overcoming A Masturbation Addiction
There are many treatment options available for overcoming a masturbation addiction. These range from psychological counseling, medicine, and even surgery, depending on the severity of the issue. So first, let’s talk about why masturbation is such a hard habit to kick.
One reason why masturbation becomes problematic is because it’s so intertwined with our identity. We associate ourselves with our sexuality and, therefore, with masturbation. When we begin to view masturbation negatively, we also tend to view our self-worth negatively. This can further perpetuate feelings of shame around masturbation.
Another reason masturbation is difficult to quit is due to its association with pleasure. Pleasure is a natural reward mechanism, and we crave it whenever possible. Masturbating repeatedly can provide us with short bursts of pleasure throughout the day. But long-term pleasure aside, it’s important to note that masturbation does not necessarily lead to orgasm. Orgasmic climax occurs when we physically stimulate the genitals through penetration, manual stimulation, toys, pornography, and more. But there are several ways to achieve orgasm without resorting to physical stimulation. Meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, and masturbation can all induce arousal and increase pleasure sensations.
Finally, masturbation tends to involve a lot of repetition. Repeating the same patterns over and over can eventually become habits. Habits are automatic responses we develop to manage situations in life, and they can be very difficult to break.
So what’s the best way to quit masturbating? Well, that depends on you. Some people need medication; others turn to therapy. Others try meditation, hypnosis, yoga, breathing techniques, and more. Whatever works for you is probably the best option.
For those seeking professional assistance, however, there are a few different approaches to consider. One approach involves using masturbation logs, which are simple journals where users write down everything they masturbate over. Another method includes developing a masturbation replacement plan. This entails coming up with alternatives to masturbation that allow for similar rewards and release.
It’s important to remember that recovery from a masturbation addiction requires time and effort. You might not see results immediately, but with persistence and dedication, you’ll hopefully be free of masturbation addiction soon.”

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