Monday, November 17, 2008

Economic Woes Increase Temptation for Unhealthy Use of Pornography:

Tips to Recognize Addiction, Address Stress Healthfully

Rates of hopelessness, fear, and depression are soaring right now. Everyone is worried about money. Unfortunately, the rotten economy makes problematic use of free internet pornography tempting to a wider and wider adult audience.

Which would you rather do right now: agonize about whether you are about to lose your job or your home; take on some unpleasant but necessary household or yard task that you used to pay someone else to do; open your investments statement and find your savings are down 40%; or sit in front of the computer, look at unnaturally sexy women doing outrageous things, touch yourself, and be transported directly to the pleasure center in your brain? "None of us likes stress, and most of us procrastinate in various ways. But guys, back away from that mouse," warns psychologist Aline Zoldbrod, Ph.D. "In stressful times like these, this seemingly harmless, "free" activity can become compulsive, costly, and dangerous to your welfare"

In periods of anxiety, many of us call on coping methods which are anything but

healthful. Some of us shop, or overeat, others smoke too much, or binge on alcohol or drugs. Shopping, alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and food all cost money, something many of us see as being in short supply these days. This is where porn's affordability is so

appealing.

There are both short and long term negative consequences to using computer porn to get you through this difficult period in our country's history. For many men, compulsively viewing pornography is a no-win activity, because guilty feelings about "behaving in ways I feel are wrong" ultimately leave them feeling shame and sadness, not relief. If you're part of a couple, increased time on the internet will create disconnection and alienation. As Zoldbrod notes," Your partner is anxious too. Withdrawing now emotionally and sexually will damage your relationship. Couples do best when they join together--literally and figuratively-- to weather this storm"

Ask yourself a few questions:

Are you watching a lot of porn instead of addressing concrete changes you need to make to survive economically?

Is your viewing making you feel out of control and worse about yourself?

Are you becoming increasingly disconnected from the real, flesh and blood people in your life who can soothe you?

If you recognize that you are spending too much time viewing pornography, two of Zoldbrod's suggestions for getting through these tough times are bibliotherapy and joining a support group for people suffering from sexual compulsions. Groups are free, available throughout the country, and break your feelings of isolation and hopelessness. They help you get a grip on this destructive behavior. Suggestions include Sex Addicts Anonymous (www.saa-recovery.org) or Sexaholics Anonymous (www.sa.org). "In individual psychotherapy, treatment can focus on developing specific, personalized, positive, self soothing techniques and emotional resource development," she adds.

Aline Zoldbrod Ph.D. is a Boston-based individual and couples therapist. She is an AASECT (American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists) certified sex therapist and Diplomate and an expert in sexual addiction. She has written and lectured nationally on sexual addiction. Author of three books about sexuality and relationships, she is the consulting sex therapist to the Lahey Clinic Center for Sexual Function. Her book SexSmart: How Your Childhood Shaped Your Sexual Life and What to Do About It won ForeWord Magazine's award for being one of the three best self help books of the year.

Contact her for more specific suggestions for preventing or limiting unhealthy use of pornography.