Are these a relapse?

You define your own criteria of what constitutes a relapse because everyone's idea of recovery is going to be different.

However, in my opinion, these behaviours do not constitute a technical relapse, but they are definitely trending that way. Relapses begin a long time before they actually happen.

 

In the terms of PMO, no.

Sexual fantasies are going to come regardless, you can't stop that. You can change how you react to them though, come to terms with the fact you are simply the awareness. The thoughts and fantasies are like clouds, they float into your awareness and they will once again float away, if you let them. If you start to think about them, start to imagine them, that's when it gets difficult to not relapse. Practice meditation my friend.

However, like Giacomo mentioned, these behaviour patterns are for sure leading down a one way street to relapse. Every time you see a half naked woman on Instagram, or read a sexual message a little seed gets planted, that seed can then blossom days later and before you know it you are relapsing.

It just makes it harder for yourself. It's like trying to quit junk food but then taking daily visits to the chocolate factory. Eventually you are going to give in to the temptation.

Rid yourself of social media apps, sexual content is far too easy to come by on there even when you aren't looking for it. Get off Tinder, especially if you have a girlfriend like you mention (unless you mean ex girlfriend) that's simply just an app people use to boost their ego.

This journey is hard enough as it is, don't make it even harder for yourself soldier!

 

I wouldn't say so. Depends on your goals clearly but as long as you don't PMO you should be in the clear

 

No one of them , it is just dangerous to do that, cause leads to watch P or do M on occasions.
That's why is better to avoid the chance

 

No recaída sion son tropiezos o desliz, igual hay que tener cuidado con ellos .... Éxitos

 

3 is a definite yes. 1 & 2 are grey areas you should stay away from as it'll trigger you or put you at risk of relapsing.

 

Its not PMO, but it can start making you 'edge'to it by dangling tempations infront of you which will lead to PMO so still stay away

 

2 is fine for me. 1 is fine briefly as long as the fantasies don't get out of hand, they're not just me replaying porn in my head and I don't end up triggering myself. 3 is a no. Going on any site or app to look at pictures of girls, whether they're clothed or not, would be a reset for me. Twitter feeds posting various non-nude and instagram pictures have been a large part of what I would masturbate to so can be considered porn for me even if the girls in the pictures are fully clothed. Definitely something I need to steer clear of.

 

Well, as long as you don't start to feel guilty, which in turn is a result of PMO, you're fine.

 

Very quick story, I recently hit the 24 month mark of my recovery with a current streak of 6 months without any orgasm (only a few orgasms during the rest of the 24 months). 4 days ago my friend put me in a chat with a female friend of his purely to discuss something. As the conversation moved forward, I noticed that the conversation became very casual and she began to very lightly flirt with me. A few hours later, and she was sending pictures over (nothing sexual) of herself and things she had been up to. Truth be told, I forgot all about my streak and slyly began to fantasize over them. I say 'slyly' because it wasn't intentional, it was more like the scenario flipped the old switch back on because I have done it so many times in the past. To cut the story short, we messaged for at least an hour, getting to know one another.

The next day here's what I felt:

• Fatigue
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Sluggishness
• Afternoon Tiredness
• A drop in motivation
• Heavy dopamine cravings
• Shrinkage

Prior to that day of messaging all was fine. There was now way it could have been anything else. The point I am making is that while many will say that sexual thoughts, pictures and messaging is fine, it really isn't. I think it depends on the individuals brain. For someone who is suffering from severe PIED, activities such as these are no different than setting my own brain on fire.

Having been in this situation not too long ago, again without realising, I expect these symptoms to last 5-10 days then i'll be back to my old self. The point is, its still slowing down my reboot for no good reason.

@zoom_zoom I am telling you, avoid any sexual stimulation for as long as you can. Remember the brain is sensitive and is still in the process of healing. If you fractured your ankle, you would be a fool to go out and run on it. There really isn't much difference here. Give your brain the time it needs to heal. Naked girls and sexting will still be a thing once you're done healing I promise.

 

1. Having sexual thoughts and fantasies NO
   
2. Reading messages from girlfriend that mention sex NO
   
3. Viewing pictures on girls on Instagram, Tinder, etc. YES!!!