The proverbial saying ‘A little of what you fancy does you good’ comes from a vaudeville song made famous by the risqué singer Marie Lloyd. It was a euphemistic way of expressing the benefits of sex.
You may be addicted to masturbating and not even realise it. Like most things, it seems that ‘everything in moderation’ applies to self-loving too. While it can be good fun, there’s evidence to show that too much of a good thing can be harmful in more ways than just friction. Addiction to masturbation can lead to debt, anxiety, job loss, attachment issues and can often be very awkward to talk about. But how much really is too much?
Here are 7 signs that show how your hobby may mean you are addicted to masturbating:
- You’re masturbating more than usual:
If you find you are spending far more time and energy than you have, this could be the sign of an addiction. People with an addiction will often spend hours searching the Internet trying to satisfy their needs often masturbating 5 to 7 times a day. - You feel guilty afterwards:
This should be a pleasurable experience, but if you’re overcome with shame or guilt afterwards then this is a sign something isn’t quite right. - You’re using it as a ‘pick me up’:
Some addicts use masturbation to regulate their feelings. If you’re addicted to self-love, it can make you feel good about yourself until there is releases making you feel relaxed afterwards. - You still do it even if you’re not in the mood:
Masturbating even when you aren’t feeling particularly sexual can be a worrying sign. Also, if you aren’t particularly enjoying it, it could be a sign of attachment issues where you get in to a pattern of seeking to be sexual more frequently as a way to feel loved. - Your sex life suffers:
All very well and good if you are single, but if you have gone off sex with your significant other as a result this is a red flag. - You’d rather masturbate than socialize:
A major sign of addiction is if you would rather stay in with your chosen form of self-gratification than interact with the real world. This can lead to social anxiety, which can end up being a vicious circle. - You masturbate in risky places:
This is when your addiction has become serious. Addicts can’t control their urges to the point that they may need to masturbate in places they shouldn’t. This can lead to serious consequences including criminal records, loss of job, major anxiety and much more.
If you think you are suffering from this addiction, there’s no need to feel ashamed. There is help available. Hypnotherapy is a great way to cope with addictions of all types. You could also try group therapy with Sex Addicts Anonymous. Contact me for a private chat.
