Withdrawal sypmtoms

Discussion in 'Rebooting - Porn Addiction Recovery' started by Gooner, Oct 13, 2014.

  1. Gooner

    Gooner Fapstronaut

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    Hey guys..just wanted to knw whether there are any withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting masturbation after more thn 5 years..
     
  2. GoRob32

    GoRob32 Fapstronaut

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    Your mileage may vary on this one. I can tell you my personal withdrawal symptoms though:

    -- Feeling lonelier than ever thought possible
    -- Depressed, moments of seeing PMO or MO as the only way to lift said depression
    -- Extreme heat build-up in my groin area

    -- After coming back from an exceptionally good night out (with friends, alone, etc) feeling the need
    to make it even better -- 'topping it off' if you will -- with MO before bedtime.

    -- Feeling really good about oneself, energetic and sexy. Using this as a sign that you're possibly cured and can start fapping again.

    -- Fantansizing. This can be difficult. Especially when you're feeling really good about yourself and your new found manly powers. The urge is there to think every sexy woman in the world will be knocking at your door in about five minutes time.

    I had to be very patient with myself with this one because fantasizing is not easy to give up. It's like 'don't think of white elephants!' and of course the only thing you want to think of is white elephants then. I used a mindfulness technique of just acknowledging that it was happening and then letting it go. If it came back that was okay. Better to make peace with it; they'll leave easier that way.

    -- Physical discomfort. At one point, I felt like I was going to be torn in two physically if I didn't M. Of course, this was just my mind. I'd recommend lying down in bed or going for a walk as soon as this one hits. It's not a small ordeal. I wrote in my journal that it was like 'a gremlin was crawling up my side'. It will pass though.
     
    Last edited: Oct 13, 2014
  3. napionder

    napionder Fapstronaut

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    everything Gorob mentioned, but I also experienced
    - insane moodswings
    - daily headaches after the 4th week

    But there are even more positive symptoms if you do nofap the right way. Meaning: also start working out, eating healthy, meditating, practicing yoga, taking cold showers, ...

    If you do some or all of these on top of nofap you'll start to feel better than you ever felt and won't struggle so much with the negative symptoms.

    Oh, and aching balls, you'll get those too!
     
  4. klikker

    klikker Fapstronaut

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    and how are you now? after 181 days no pmo.. what are your benefits?
     
  5. GoRob32

    GoRob32 Fapstronaut

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    Hey Klikker,

    Well for me, its helped me start dealing with problems I had been shoving aside. Things to do with my personal responsibility and confidence in relationships. I say 'start' because it feels very touch and go for me at the moment. Sometimes I feel like I'm making progress, feeling confident and assured about making decisions and then -- all of a sudden -- I don't. This is because there are other factors associated with self-esteem that aren't confined to sexuality.

    I can tell you the primary benefit of not fapping is having a greater control over your sexuality. Not using it to escape from problems. Not trying to just please an impulse. This alone is worth the pursuit for me because following unrestrained impulses can lead a person down some dark paths.

    To really get into the benefits, you'll have to read my blog 'Becoming an Adult' and you'll see the changes I've been undergoing and the things I continue to deal with in one way or another.

    Some of these things are situational; some of them will be universal to anyone who quits.

    EDIT (10/18): I would also endorse napionder's comments about being active physically, eating right, meditating, cold showers. Slowly integrating them and making them a part of your routine.


    "No man whose appetites are his masters, can perform the duties of his nature with strictness and regularity; he that would be superior to external influences must first become superior to his own passions."

    Johnson: Idler #52 (April 14, 1759)
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2014
  6. darth

    darth Fapstronaut

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    Wow, I just started reading for support and now am slightly terrified and wondering if this is a good move at all. Is it natural at all to not wank? If its that hard to stop? Maybe I'll plan for a disciplined approach of set intervals. I'm not willing to feel "ripped in half".
     
  7. Let me begin with the GOOD NEWS:

    The "withdrawal" symptoms are actually a cure. That's because fapping is a kind of way to escape from stress, tensions, negative emotions, fears, doubts, and so on. When you stop fapping and when you go to into hard mode, then you cannot escape your fears no more. You need to face them, you have no way out. So you need to find a WAY TO COPE with you fears, and this actually is the cure!


    In the beginning, my hardest withdrawal symptoms were heavy heartbeating, restlessness and total sleepless nights. I remember that I stood up in the middle of the night, and went for bicycling at 2 AM, just to get exhausted and find some sleep !

    However, these symptoms get better already after 1-2 weeks, and then, the benefits take over.

    With time, you change your attitude. Abstinence makes you feel totally free, balanced and happy, and it gives you the feeling that you can do everything. You begin to love that constant "tingling" feeling which is like a flame burning inside of you and which is powering you.

    Also, I feel that my immune system is much tougher now. I used to get a cold 2-3 times a year, but now, my last cold is now more than year ago! There is clear scientific evidence that a balanced person has a much better immune system.

    Well, abstinence is really one of the greatest tools, which can give you a fulfilling life! Although I am not a believer, I have to admit that religions are very right with the demand for abstinence.

    The only danger of abstinence is that you might become megalomanic and then you relapse and crash. - That happened to me after the first run of 5 weeks this spring ;-) But still, if you have made it for five weeks, or just some days, then you feel so much stronger, and it gives you strength for the next run.
     
  8. GoRob32

    GoRob32 Fapstronaut

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    I don't mean to terrify you by talking about that particular episode (the 'tearing in two feeling' -- it only happened once and never again). And maybe I'm exaggerating the 'being torn in two' part. Lets just say it was an intense physically conflicting feeling, one that I've never experienced before. I'd say it was more akin to a gremlin clutching my leg and climbing up my side.

    Also this episode has been from my own personal experience; your mileage may vary. But since you asked, I wanted to let you know that it is possible there might be some 'stronger than ordinary' withdrawal symptoms somewhere down the line. They can be unexpected, which is why its good to have foreknowledge. The very good news is, if you have them they are VERY FEW and VERY SHORT LIVED. The 'gremlin episode' came upon me one night, lasted 10 minutes and has never returned.

    I do agree with FreedomFlight, in general the withdrawal symptoms appear because you are dealing with your fear, whatever you have been shoving aside. It is a completely natural process, there is nothing unhealthy about it.

    Take care. ;)
     
    Last edited: Nov 13, 2014

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