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Poll / Your opinion about Psychology's effect/help with PMO addiction

Discussion in 'Off-topic Discussion' started by exodusright, Sep 26, 2018.

  1. exodusright

    exodusright Fapstronaut

    Hi All,

    I've been to psychiatrists to help for PMO at 17 and again for Alcohol/PMO at 24 and now for PMO and Overeating/Spending on Porn at 32 now. Communities like nofap and others have really given me the courage to speak out and seek help but addiction is the least understood of other issues and I guess getting good help is pretty hard for such issues and would be real luck get a good one. I've been trying Cognitive Based Therapy but have not been able to commit to it completely. However I am trying to find out of Dialectic Behavior Therapy might help. Please let me know your experience with Psychotherapy or Pharmaceutical therapy.

    Thank you.
     
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  2. R2DToy

    R2DToy Fapstronaut

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    I've been going to mental health specialists for some time now, and also to discuss the PMO problem. Little could they do more than advise me to start doing it less frequently, avoid sparking material, take a walk when you get the urges, etc. But it's extremely difficult without the self-discipline.

    Has CBT worked or done anything for you so far?

    Anyway, my psychiatrist told me there were pills to reduce one's sexual urges. I have not tried them though.

    I am not a fan of medication myself. They're just not 'natural'. It's best to stay away from them. I really prefer to go the psychological way, but it's way tougher. It requires a lot of effort, which is for me difficult because I have more going on than a PMO problem, mentally.
     
  3. Reborn16

    Reborn16 Fapstronaut

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    I saw a few counsellors, then ended up reading and applying acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). This is a combination of cognitive and behavioural therapy, and it helped me no end. There's basic info online, but the book is called 'the happiness trap' if you're ready to accept your discomfort, take action according to your values - despite your discomfort, and commit to that process.

    I'm not a fan of medication either, try all the normal stuff first, then try it again. Keep the chemicals out of your system (that the doctors get commission for).
     
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  4. Pinetree

    Pinetree Fapstronaut

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    In my personal experience, I found psychoanalysis very helpful (after few months of therapy). In the sense that after many years I feel I have control in what concerns the addiction (meaning choice). If there is interest in more details, maybe send me a private message.

    I have some undergraduate studies in psychology and CBT (and also went through CBT therapy at one time), so I know some things about it and CBT is more goal oriented and standardized.

    Psychoanalysis has more depth, is more flexible, open and maybe customized in its approach. So maybe it is more important than with CBT to talk to more psychoanalysts and find the person you can best relate to (before starting the therapy).

    From my understanding, there are more trends in psychoanalysis these days, and they may differ in their approach to therapy.

    And it probably depends from person to person, in what they might find helpful for them.
     
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2018
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  5. exodusright

    exodusright Fapstronaut

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts about this. CBT worked like a charm, honestly. But after a few situations I just could not keep up with it. But I did feel like if I kept up with the CBT journal I would have a better sense of what I was going through and have more control over my reactions. I was in a major depression because of some personal issues so it did wonders to help me get out it.

    I have the same opinion about the medication route to heal my mind and strongly believe that my brain is not that damaged yet and I can take care of myself.
     
  6. I think the main purpose you visited your psychiatrist was to overcome your pmo problem . I wonder why such a long time gap. You visited him at 17 and for same issue 7 years later then again after 5 years
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 27, 2018
  7. exodusright

    exodusright Fapstronaut

    Thank you for the detailed reply, I did not understand what you meant by "talk to psychoanalyst and find the person you can best relate to" part. Would it mean that I need to have a few sessions just to check if the personality or ego is not going to interfere with the therapy? please let me know any tips for the same. I know that people are ambiverts, howeverI lean on the introvert side, but once I get to know someone I tend to be more of an extrovert. I'm trying to find the right balance for quite sometime. So will all that matter too? For instance I was under a manager who was very extrovert and my personality lead to a very toxic situation, so I can imagine how a therapy session could go in the wrong direction.
     
  8. exodusright

    exodusright Fapstronaut

    The first time I saw the psychologist he told me that M was not a big deal and I should just do it in moderation but the other things he told me were very sensible but I guess I was very immature at that point and just focused on picking up the faults in others and so did not go back to him.

    Then I started working and because I was earning money I thought I could drink with my own money and though it sounds very stupid right now I thought I could just beat one addiction with another and went on quite a few binges and after absconding from a job I had that time it just got worse and I finally hit rock bottom and had to seek help in treatment center which lead me to AA, but the PMO was still there all the while and I mostly felt guilty of my second addiction.

    So once I recovered from the physical pain of never ending heart burns, panic attacks I got a job and stayed clean for arousand 8 months and started experimenting again. Long story short, my impulsive reaction to what others said at home or what was going on in my head I used be on and off with cigarettes, alcohol and weed. Not a good strategy.

    I kind of got lost in my story so the second time I saw the therapist was after I came out of the treatment center and she got me started on CBT but I somehow hurt her ego at some point and she stopped answering my call. AA helped me through lot of situations and just gave me faith, which I had lost in religion and everything else. I guess people can build faith in just about anything for me AA worked. So after 5 years of this I was not able to handle the PMO part again so I went back to the therapist and after 2 sessions she said I needed to get myself checked so I'm going to the state run mental health institute where I have had like really good 3 sessions and later I just started acting up and am just trying to get a diagnosis and get real help because I dont think another wave of depression would be easy for me and for sure life is going to throw a few my way but i just need to build the calluses mentally and fix anything that is majorly wrong. Sorry about the long reply.
     
  9. Contentful T

    Contentful T Fapstronaut





    Modern psychology happens to be a big business.

    Money often times takes out the sincerity of working with one.
     
  10. Clean Plate

    Clean Plate Fapstronaut

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    Im about to graduate from a CBT group next week. I already went to one when I was around 18 yrs old but at the time I also wasnt able to "commit to it completely " as well. I sort of half assed the program. This time though I was able to pay attention to the lectures to the best of my ability and I did MUCH better in applying the skills. You have to decide on whether or not you need this man. You got to stop playing around. I also was a drug/alcohol addict that has had success of over 2 years sobriety. You need to get your priorities straight my friend. Apply your CBT or DBT skills to this addiction. Also, try the 12 step program if you havent already. Good luck!
     
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  11. Pinetree

    Pinetree Fapstronaut

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    Short answer: find somebody with whom you can talk in a comfortable and open manner. Probably a single preliminary session where you talk about your issues, ask them questions, etc. should be enough

    That probably doesn't matter.

    Something similar happened to me once with a CBT psychologist (maybe not quite similar: she was certainly more extrovert than the other psychologists which I have met, and I felt her style pushy and criticizing).

    But I think this is an anomaly, shouldn't happen with a mental healthcare practitioner.
     
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  12. Torakak

    Torakak New Fapstronaut

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    This is my first post. Anyway, I’ve been going to therapy for about a month now (the same amount of time I’ve been doing hard mode nofap), and my therapist is quite understanding. The topic is so misunderstood and not a lot of people know the negative effects of PMO. But I think therapy is wonderful in helping you handle guilt and shame. One point being: You don’t have to beat yourself up over this. PMO starts at such a young age for so many people. An age in which you’re so malleable and easily influenced. With therapy in relation to this topic, I think we have to explain things a lot more than say a heroin addict. Not to say one or the other is more or less debilitating. It’s just less understood. I just hope therapists and psychologists (not all) can start to better understand PMO as awareness increases over the years.
     
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