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Anxiety and Depression? Is it Withdrawals?

Discussion in 'Rebooting - Porn Addiction Recovery' started by matt.n18, Sep 10, 2018.

  1. matt.n18

    matt.n18 Fapstronaut

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    hey everyone. i recently started nofap on july 26 and have been holding strong ever since. My question is have any of you experienced anxiety and depression? Because i have been feeling this way ever since day 0 (so its been 47 days). I also have this weird urge to go search up scary articles that would make my anxiety worse. I am wondering if these are withdrawals. Thanks for the help.
     
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  2. Yes!!!When u refrain from pmo then 100% withdrwal comes...Yes depression and anxiety is withdrwals
     
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  3. matt.n18

    matt.n18 Fapstronaut

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    Thanks for the motivation. It’s just that sometimes it feels like forever that these feelings won’t go away. But i am more motivated than ever now!
     
  4. Atlanticus

    Atlanticus Moderator Assistant
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    Brother, Matt!

    Forgive me for teasing you a but, but you seem to have been a lil naughty, by not interacting with your fellow Fapstronauts more -- which is the essence of the NoFap experience -- because if you had, you'd know the answer to this question a thousandfold...

    Like all addictions, PMO-addiction addresses (without resolving) emotional needs that are deeper than the seemingly physical "urges" and the like -- and in the case of S- and P- addictions the insidious nature of this emotional cover-up is more deeply sourced than with many other addictions. So... by taking away PMO you've uncovered emotions it was meant to obscure/reroute... and in your case and that of many others... anxiety ensues and/or returns. The trick then, is to address the non-physical needs, tensions, issues, wants, and frustrations that PMO addiction conveniently covered up for you.

    Sorry if my response seems a tad lacking in empathy. It's just that I don't know much about anxiety (it's not my thing) but you will find lots of our fellow warriors all-too-familiar with this particular torment. Check the forums?

    Good catch, though...

    BEST of success!
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2018
    Swagnation likes this.
  5. Hey Matt,

    I don't have any solutions for you but I can only share that depression has also intensified for me lately so I guess it's to be expected.
     
  6. matt.n18

    matt.n18 Fapstronaut

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    Damn. We are not alone then. I all we can do now is be patient because I know it gets better in the end.
     
    Atlanticus likes this.
  7. Atlanticus

    Atlanticus Moderator Assistant
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    Feeling anxiety can be a logical by-product of rebooting for many. Doesn't mean we shouldn't work on addressing the root of it, though. After all, if anxiety can contribute to PMO-addiction before a reboot, it may do so again, if left unresolved.
    Good luck!
     
    matt.n18 likes this.
  8. matt.n18

    matt.n18 Fapstronaut

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    Thank you for the help
     
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  9. Jake Jilg

    Jake Jilg Fapstronaut

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    I'm a hermit; haven't had social contact over a month, except groceries. Until I got online today, I've was rapid breathing and crying-tears/wailing-out-loud like a baby. It's not craving sex, but it seems my asocial/introverted life (handicap) leaves me longing for the psycho-chemical relief of human company in my hard-wired brain's emotional limbic system.

    Summation: This forum is bringing me psycho-chemical comfort because I don't have a social life.

    I hope this helps.

    I left my answer under-detailed and broad, because reading people talk about themselves can get tiresome.
     
    Who I want to be likes this.
  10. Dagger323

    Dagger323 Fapstronaut

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    I’d like to add that while anxiety and/or depression may be something PMO was merely “covering up” as someone else mentioned, abstaining from PMO does create havoc in the brain while it attempts to rewire itself, causing many different hormones to either be too plentiful or scarce until you successfully reboot. This in itself can cause anxiety, depression, lonliness, stress, and the like, and may not necessarily just be something that was always present all along, but instead is a very real withdrawal symptom which is a direct result of your brain not getting its fix of dopamine (which you flood it with when you are constantly orgasming) and therefore your brain is not in a state of homeostasis. Once you heal the anxiety and depression will either cease or greatly reduce. This is an extremely common side effect of abstinence and should be expected by anyone entering NoFap.
     
    Last edited: Sep 19, 2018
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  11. I often wake up anxious. There are times I wake up with a fast beating heart etc.

    But i know my mind is worried that there is no orgasm coming. It is so used to having orgasm, porn and masturbation as solution.

    So now that I know that I just ignore it when it comes and I'm fine.

    Knowing how to manage emotions during a rehab is very important. Mental fitness is key.

    I wish you all well
     
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  12. matt.n18

    matt.n18 Fapstronaut

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    I posted this like a week ago, but i can definitely tell you it gets better. Ive been feeling more energy and a lot more motivated but i still have some minor episodes of anxiety. But time and patience will heal everything.
     
  13. Westsidejimmy

    Westsidejimmy Fapstronaut

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    Good outlook brother,

    And yes the depression and anxiety are a mofo. Just keep riding the storm out.
     
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  14. matt.n18

    matt.n18 Fapstronaut

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    For the time being as your brain reboots I also recommend surrounding yourself around positive environments.
     
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