Feeling depressed, irritable, and angry while on NoFap

It's all part of the healing process, your brain is adjusting to having its dopamine fix taken away from it and is "protesting". It's known as the "flatline". My experience so far is that it comes and goes intermittently but over time, it gets weaker. It's one the hardest parts of the whole rebooting process, although everyone experiences it differently, some actually welcome the fact they're no longer feeling horny as it helps abstaining. Just give it some time, that's all you can do really.

 

Well you're not one of the lucky ones then. You'll just have to try and get through this period and trust that there is light at the end of the tunnel. When I was at my worst during the flatline I binged TV shows and ate junk food. Wouldn't necessarily recommend that though, getting out and doing some exercise, being in nature and fresh hair also helps. Keep reminding yourself why you're doing this and read some journals of rebooters, I found that helped a lot.

 

urges are normal. feeling low is normal too. The point is, continue and soldier on with your life. regardless.

Go outside and run.

 

I really wish I could have what some guys have during flatline like no libido, because I don't get urges to do PMO per say I'm just really horny all day every day and it drives me around the bend.

I've managed through the pain of depression and motivation, by forcing myself to get out of bed and do something productive or fun even if it's something small. You have to keep your brain occupied no matter how bad you feel and don't dwell or mope on the withdrawals you have. At least you know that they are a good sign if healing.

 

I don't even get an urge / craving, just flat. Fucking flat, emotionless. Crazy fucking shit this porn!

 

Right now, I’m on day 6 and I am entering the flatline phase. I know that it will be the hardest thing I’ll endure; I have been PMOing for 8-9 years and I’m twenty-one now. There has been cognitive impairment done to me as a result of the time-lapse of my addiction. It would always be intermittent; I don’t think I PMO daily it would usually be almost every other day or more, that being said my longest streak was last week of 15 days. I’m going to shoot for a month this time. I know that the flatline symptons will leave me just like MonkeyPuzzle said binging TV shows and eating junk food, however the key is to keep pushing through.
“ If you’re going through hell, just keep going!”
—Winston Churchill
Eventually there will be a point in our lives where we look back and just think about dumb it was for us.
Hope will strive...
P.S. I’d really like to go for more than a month but I’m keeping my goals short term for now. In due time...

 

Emotional periods will come and go. It is a good thing to get them out. I feel almost bipolar sometimes, where I get super angry at the smallest stuff. Sometimes really depressed and negative, and other times where I feel on top of the world and can achieve and conquer anything that life throws at me. It is really good to feel emotions now, when I have felt numb for years. Make's me feel more alive.

But like all things it will pass. Meditation helps you become emotionally centered and happy.

These are all good signs that you are getting better!

 

You sound like a high achiever. That’s great. However, since being unable to perform in sports right now gives you a sense of worthlessness, I suspect that your need to achieve is rooted in feeling worthless.

It’s a universal sense of “I’m not good enough” that is behind most overachieving and most self destruction (ie. addiction). Everybody feels this way to some extent. I’d suggest the book “Fearless Living” by Rhonda Britten. It helps you live free from fear about who you are. So you can go on to achieve in a healthy way and take setbacks without a sense of worthlessness.

Let me also say, if you were never able to play sports again, you are an inherently valuable person with gifts only you can give. Please know this deep in your guts. You have no idea how many positive ways you will impact the world that have nothing to do with sports.

Bless you. You are valuable, lovable, and unique. Take heart and have courage.