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Anxiety after PMO withdrawal?

Discussion in 'Porn Addiction' started by Vorenus2000, Dec 21, 2018.

  1. Vorenus2000

    Vorenus2000 New Fapstronaut

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    Hi everyone,
    I've been trying to stop my addiction recently. I started on the 1st of November and got about 20 days before I relapsed. Since then I've been having sporadic relapses of about 3 days with gaps in between of about a week.

    However, one thing I have noticed is that I've been a lot more anxious. My anxiety (just general anxiety, not social anxiety) seemed to increase massively when I stopped masturbating, and I therefore assumed they were connected. For example, I've been planning to go on holiday abroad for a long time, yet only the past few weeks or so I've been intensely worried about the flight wheras in the past I have never been afraid of flying.
    I developed a fear of flying practically overnight and I wondered if this heightened anxiety was a result of PMO withdrawal.
    Did anyone else experience, or is anyone else experiencing, similar anxiety issues?

    Thanks guys
     
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  2. Scarab Beetle

    Scarab Beetle Fapstronaut

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    It is said that you start to face and experience a lot of unusual withdrawal symptoms when you quit PMO. Its your brain's habit of luring you back to those dopamine shots which you have been giving it by masturbating to porn, by giving you anxiety attacks for things which you never had before when you used to masturbate. Don't pay attention to them as these symptoms will soon go away as your body and mind starts to slowly adjust to its new condition. Don't give into the temptation of porn or masturbation for the sake of luring anxiety away. As for when it will go, it depends from person to person and his or hers level of addiction to PMO. Just hold on to your streaks and be cool, enjoy your well relaxed holiday and don't let you guard down even for a minute. Try to stay busy, exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle to help your body adapt to its new conditions. Good luck brother :)
     
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2018
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  3. Nugget9

    Nugget9 Fapstronaut

    I like how Scarab Beetle says withdrawal symptoms are trying to lure you back to those dopamine shots, I never thought of it this way and appreciate this insight. Very insightful. Thanks.
     
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  4. Scarab Beetle

    Scarab Beetle Fapstronaut

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    Welcome brother. Like a child says to an adult "I'll stop crying and irritating you if you give me my chocolate candy", its the mind saying to us "I'll stop giving you these withdrawal attacks if you indulge me in the carnal activities I want". In both cases, the solution is to discipline the child and the mind so that it becomes conditioned to stop teasing you when it realizes that you are not affected by its activities. Eventually, it will give up trying to nudge and bother you and be on its own way.
     
  5. I think getting your mind busy and focused in a task, is a good way to fight anxiety. Sometimes I play volleyball with some friends, I forget about everything, including my anxiety, and stay focused on the game.
     
  6. I’ve suffered from anxiety my entire life. One thing is for sure though, during nofap it’s 10 times worse. @Scarab Beetle is right. It’s your brain doing whatever it can to get what it wants...and it WILL do whatever it can. In my longer streaks there were times I literally thought I was going to wake up in the looney bin. They do pass though :) What works for me is to keep telling myself “my brain is healing right at this very moment.” I know it sucks but it’s possible to push through it all. Best of luck to ya :)
     
  7. Fenix Rising

    Fenix Rising Fapstronaut

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    Porn addictions is actually classified as addictions of compulsion in psychology. Compulsive process addictions are usually symptoms of deeper underlying mental illnesses. Depression, anxiety, and trauma are often discovered beneath the surface of process addictions. We use porn as out "drug" of choice to numb unwanted tensions in us. Non addressed psych problems resurface when PMO "drug" is removed from our daily lives.

    I suffer from terrible mood swings, general / social anxiety and depression for months when I completely abstain from PMO and sex. Things get better after three to four months in my case.
     
  8. Vorenus2000

    Vorenus2000 New Fapstronaut

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    I really appreciate the responses guys, it's made me feel better knowing other people have experienced the same stuff.
     
  9. Maybe after 100 days of discipline. Maybe after a decade but eventually it will subside if we persist.
     
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