 Have you ever found yourself caught in a cycle of excessive masturbation? Feeling like it's interfering with your daily life and well-being. Maybe you've experienced moments where you feel like you don't have the power to resist that urge? Well friends, today we're going to dive into the signs that could indicate that you're struggling with masturbation addiction. Remember, we're here to support you every step of the way. Loss of control. Do you often feel like your masturbation habits are beyond your control? It's like that urge takes over and you can't resist it. Imagine feeling the strong desire to masturbate even when you have other important tasks to attend to and you find yourself giving in despite your best intentions. Clinical psychologist, specializing in sexual addiction, Dr. David J. Lay, explains that feeling powerless over your urges is a clear sign of addiction. According to Dr. Lay, this sense of powerlessness can be distressing and have a significant impact on our daily life and well-being, but don't worry. Recognizing this loss of control is the first step towards regaining your power. Have you ever found yourself neglecting important responsibilities because of your intense focus on masturbation? It's like that urge becomes top priority, pushing everything else aside. Picture a time when you chose to engage in masturbation instead of meeting deadlines, studying for exams, or spending quality time with loved ones. Dr. Patrick Carnes, a sexual addiction expert, emphasizes the negative impact addiction can have on various aspects of our lives, including academic or professional performance, relationships, and personal well-being. It's time to reclaim your balance and start prioritizing what truly matters. Escalating habit. Have you noticed that your masturbation habit has escalated over time? Maybe what used to be a once-in-a-while occurrence has turned into a daily or even multiple times a day routine. It's like you need more and more to satisfy that craving. Imagine feeling the need to constantly seek out sexual stimulation, spending excessive amounts of time and energy on masturbation, and finding it difficult to resist the urge. According to Dr. Michael Herkoff, a clinical psychologist specializing in sexual addiction, escalating habits are a common characteristic of addiction. As time goes on, individuals may find themselves needing more frequent and intense sexual stimulation to satisfy their cravings. The urge to constantly seek out sexual pleasure can become overwhelming, leading to excessive amounts of time and energy spent on masturbation. But remember, friends, breaking free is possible. Interference with relationships. Have you ever felt that your excessive masturbation was causing strain in your relationships? Maybe you found it difficult to connect emotionally and physically with your partner because that urge takes precedence. Imagine the disappointment and frustration on your partner's face when they desire intimacy. But you choose masturbation over shared experiences. A lot of relationships have suffered due to this addiction and it's heartbreaking. A leading expert in sexual addiction and trauma, Dr. Stephanie Karnes, emphasizes the toll addiction can have on our relationships. When the urge for masturbation takes precedence over emotional and physical connection with a partner, it can lead to strain and disappointment in the relationship. When this happens, it's time to prioritize genuine connections and seek professional support to rebuild what may have been damaged. If you find this video helpful so far, be sure to hit the like button and subscribe for more content. Now, on to the next point. Emotional distress. Do you experience intense guilt, shame, or anxiety around your masturbation habits? It's like a roller coaster of pleasure followed by overwhelming negative emotions. Imagine feeling a sense of guilt or shame after each episode of masturbation, questioning your self-worth and feeling burdened by the emotional distress that comes after giving in to your urges. Dr. Mark Lazar, a therapist who specializes in sexual addiction recovery, highlights the emotional toll addiction can take. He explains that intense guilt, shame, and anxiety are common emotional responses after engaging in masturbation. These negative emotions often arise from conflicting beliefs and societal stigmas surrounding sexual behavior. Know that you are not defined by your struggles and healing is possible. Inability to stop. Have you tried to cut back or quit masturbating but found yourself unable to do so successfully? Like the urge feels too strong to resist, no matter how hard you try. Imagine feeling the frustration and disappointment when you make a commitment to yourself to stop or reduce masturbation only to find yourself giving in again and again. According to licensed therapist and expert in sex addiction, Dr. Alexandra Kitakis, the inability to quit despite negative consequences is a clear sign of addiction. She explains that this struggle is not a sign of weakness or failure, but rather a complex issue that requires understanding and support. But don't lose hope, because with the right support you can regain control. Do you experience any of these signs? If you feel comfortable, feel free to comment down below or share this video with someone who may relate to it. Remember, you're not alone in this journey. Seeking support and professional guidance is crucial in overcoming addiction. Until next time and remember, you matter. Here's the next chapter in our ongoing Psych2Go Stories series that we've been putting our hearts into. 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