“Porn addiction can alter one’s brain,” warns expert

Clinical psychologist, Anele Siswana, says porn addiction can alter a person’s brain, leading to desensitisation and potentially aggressive behaviour.

He was reacting to the news about Zimbabweans, allegedly, watching too much porn.

According to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), statistics show that some of the top 10 visited sites in that country – are adult entertainment and betting sites.

The regulator’s Evidence Mazhindu, who was speaking on the sidelines of a Sensitisation and Awareness Workshop on the Cyber and Data Protection Act, has attributed this to people being idle.

According to statistics, here in South Africa – the addiction is most common among the young people between the ages of 15 and 30.

It is also estimated that between 6-8% of South African men would become addicted to porn at some point.

Siswana says a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and experiential factors contribute to this.

“These factors contribute to the development and maintenance of addictive behaviours, including pornography addiction, which can have significant negative impacts on mental and emotional well-being,” adds Siswana.

He says underlying mental conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders are also to blame.

“The lack of sexual satisfaction and relationship problems are other possible contributors,” he says.

“Excessive exposure to porn and unrealistic views of. Psychologically, watching porn can create unrealistic expectations about sex, leading to dissatisfaction in real-life relationships,” Siswana adds.

Social worker, Andre le Roux, says easy access to porn is the main contributor to the high addiction figures.

Speaking to YNews, le Roux says most porn addicts usually suffer from low self-esteem and need an outlet to feel good.

 

Le Roux says while it may be difficult to break the addiction, it is doable when a person really wants to stop.

Below, Siswana also gives some practical ways those who want to beat the addiction can use.

1. Acknowledge the Problem. Recognise that you have a problem and are willing to seek help. This is the first step towards recovery.
   2. Place of Therapy (Counselling). It is important to encourage professional help. Consult a therapist or counsellor who specialises in treating porn addiction. They can help you identify the underlying causes of your addiction and develop strategies for recovery.
   3. Healthy support system. Surround yourself with people who support your recovery and can help you stay accountable.
   4. Self-Reflection and Journaling. Reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours to identify patterns and triggers. Journaling can help you process your emotions and gain insight into your addiction.
   5. I encourage forgiveness and self-compassion. Practice forgiveness and self-compassion to overcome feelings of guilt, shame, and self-blame.

“It is important to note that overcoming porn addiction is a journey that requires patience, persistence, and support,” Siswana advises. Written by Noni Harris