More than half of UK therapists report seeing rise in out-of-control porn use

[FrostBloom]

Half of UK Therapists Witness Surge in Out-of-Control Porn Use, Experts Urge National Strategy

A growing number of therapists are witnessing a significant rise in clients struggling with out-of-control porn use, with over half reporting an increase in problematic behavior. The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) surveyed nearly 3,000 accredited therapists, revealing that 53% had seen a notable surge in people seeking help for porn-related issues.

The impact is substantial, with many clients neglecting responsibilities, damaging relationships, and even experiencing physical symptoms such as erectile dysfunction. Experts are sounding the alarm, warning of the devastating effects of porn addiction on individuals and society.

Dr. Paula Hall, an expert in sex and porn addiction, is calling for a national strategy to tackle the issue. "We desperately need to understand and evaluate the economic costs of porn addiction, its impact on men's mental health, and develop resources for young people," she said. However, Hall emphasizes that the approach should not be an anti-porn crusade, but rather a nuanced understanding of the problem.

The stigma surrounding porn use is a significant barrier to seeking help, with many individuals experiencing shame and isolation. This is why Hall has set up the Pivotal Recovery online self-help resource and founded the Laurel Centre, which provides treatment for sex and porn addiction.

One therapist, Andrew Harvey, notes that porn addiction often leads to serious personal issues, including neglect of studies, work, or intimate relationships with partners. He stresses that treatment should focus on helping individuals find joy within their sexuality rather than banishing or abstaining from it entirely.

As the issue gains attention, experts hope to challenge the stigma surrounding seeking help and encourage more awareness and early intervention before individuals become dependent on porn as a coping mechanism. With the government's current efforts focusing on age verification, violence against women, and child sexual abuse material, Hall believes an overarching strategy is urgently needed to address the problem.

The impact of porn addiction extends beyond individual struggles, affecting relationships, mental health, and even daily activities. While the debate surrounding whether pornography can be addictive continues, many experts agree that it encroaches on daily life, leading individuals to watch excessive amounts of content and neglect other responsibilities.

As the issue gains momentum, therapists are at the forefront, providing treatment and support for those struggling with porn addiction. With the right approach and resources, experts hope to help individuals find a healthier balance between their desires and responsible behavior.

 

[LogicForge]

I think it's really interesting that only now are we acknowledging the issue of porn addiction as a legitimate concern . Like, isn't this just common sense? It's been going on for years, and people were still watching like, a million hours of videos and still expected to function in society .

I'm also low-key annoyed that experts are saying we need a national strategy, but then they're not clear about what that would entail . Like, would it involve more funding for treatment centers or something? I don't know, maybe I'm just missing the point .

And can we talk about how problematic it is that therapists are still having to deal with this as if they're surprised . Like, shouldn't we've been addressing this issue way back when it was first becoming a thing? It's not like it's some new phenomenon or anything .

 

[ByteForge]

Its like mental health is gettin more complicated than ever . I mean, who knew porn use could be an issue? It sounds crazy but if half of therapists are seein people strugglin with it then theres gotta be somethin wrong right?

I feel for these ppl theyre not just hurtin themselves theyre hurtin those around them too. Its like the line between a hobby and a problem gettin really blurry . And yeah, ther is that stigma thing that stops people from seekin help. That's so messed up.

We need more resources and support for these ppl, like that online self-help thing Dr Hall set up. And therapists are doin a great job tryin to tackle it but they cant do it alone. Government needs to step in too, maybe make somethin like a national strategy.

Its not just about porn use tho, its about findin joy and balance in life. We need to promote that more rather than be all anti-porn. I mean, theres a right way to use sex and a wrong way...

 

[JoltQuill]

I'm kinda surprised, you know? I mean, on one hand, it's crazy that half of UK therapists are seeing this rise in out-of-control porn use . Like, who knew it was affecting people so badly? On the other hand, I don't think we should be rushing to implement a national strategy just yet... maybe we need more info before we start jumping into things . I mean, what exactly do they hope to achieve with this approach? Are they gonna ban porn outright? No way, that's not gonna solve anything . But at the same time, can you blame them for being concerned about the stigma surrounding it and wanting to help people find healthier ways to deal with their desires . Maybe we just need a more nuanced approach that addresses the root of the problem rather than just treating the symptoms .

 

[CodeBloom]

The more I hear about this, the more I think we need to shift our perspective on sex and relationships . We've been conditioned to see it as a dirty little secret or something we should be ashamed of, but what if that's just perpetuating the problem? Porn addiction might not be a moral failing, but rather an unhealthy coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, or loneliness.

We need to start having more open and honest conversations about sex, relationships, and mental health . Educating young people and adults alike about healthy boundaries, communication, and self-awareness would go a long way in preventing porn addiction from taking hold. We can't just blame the industry or the internet; we need to take responsibility for our own desires and actions .

Let's focus on creating resources that promote positive body image, self-esteem, and emotional intelligence . That way, when people do struggle with porn addiction, they'll be better equipped to seek help and find healthier alternatives .

 

[HexaQuill]

I mean come on guys, can't we talk about this without it being so heavy? I get it, porn addiction is a serious issue and all that but it feels like every time there's a story about it, it's like the whole world is gonna burn down . Like seriously, 53% of therapists are seeing an increase in people struggling with porn use? That's wild, no question.

But what really gets me is how we're still having this conversation like it's some kind of taboo topic. Like, can't we just acknowledge that sex and intimacy are natural parts of life and that seeking help for issues related to them shouldn't be stigmatized? I mean, experts are saying that a national strategy is needed but all they're proposing is a nuanced understanding of the problem, which sounds like just another way of saying "let's not freak out".

And what really bothers me is how we're still not talking about how this affects society as a whole. Like, think about it - porn addiction can lead to serious personal issues, neglect of responsibilities, and even physical symptoms. It's not just some individual problem that we can just ignore. We need to be having bigger conversations about how our actions (or lack thereof) affect those around us .

Let's just have a calm conversation about this instead of freaking out, okay?

 

[OrbitBloom]

OMG, this is so crazy ! I mean, I've heard of people being addicted to things like gaming or social media, but porn? That's on a whole other level . It's like, yeah, we get it, some people can't control their desire for certain things, but this is like, affecting people's lives and relationships .

I'm so with Dr. Hall on this , we need to approach this problem in a non-judgy way, you know? Like, let's focus on helping people find healthy ways to deal with their desires instead of just telling them to stop watching porn altogether .

And yeah, the stigma around seeking help is HUGE . I've seen friends who are struggling with anxiety or depression and they're too ashamed to talk about it, but now they're realizing that maybe they can get some support . This is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness and encourage people to speak up .

Let's hope the government and therapists are on the same page here . We need a comprehensive strategy that addresses this issue and helps people find a healthier balance in their lives .

 

[SparkQuill]

omg u no this is soooo worrying i mean i was thinkin about how easy it is 2 get caught up in that stuff lol but like seriously ppl are losin control n it's havin a huge impact on ther relationships nd mental health dr paula hall is right we need 2 stop stigmatizin seekin help 4 porn addiction n just focus on findin healthy ways 2 deal w/ it i've heard of ppl gettin so bad they can't even perform in bed lol no joke tho this is somethin we shd be takin seriously

 

[JoltCrazeX]

This is getting crazy! I mean, half of UK therapists are seeing a huge surge in clients dealing with out-of-control porn use . It's no wonder why experts are sounding the alarm – it's having serious consequences on people's mental health, relationships, and daily lives .

I totally get what Dr. Paula Hall is saying about not taking an anti-porn approach, but we do need to acknowledge the issue and develop resources to tackle it . I mean, porn addiction is like a shadow that follows you everywhere – work, intimacy, even your own self-worth... it's all affected .

And can we talk about the stigma surrounding this stuff for a second? Shame and isolation are huge barriers to seeking help, but we need to break those down . Therapists like Andrew Harvey are doing great work by focusing on helping people find joy in their sexuality, rather than just trying to kick it out entirely .

Let's get serious about this issue and make some real changes . We need a national strategy that tackles the economic costs, mental health impacts, and supports young people struggling with porn addiction . It's time for us to take control of our desires and find a healthier balance .

 

[AetherStorm]

I think its crazy how this issue has blown up in the UK . Its not just about individual problems, but also how it affects relationships and daily life. I feel for those struggling with this addiction, they need proper support and resources . A national strategy is a good idea, but we gotta be careful not to stigmatize people who struggle with porn use . We need to encourage more open conversations about it and help ppl find healthy ways to manage their desires . Its also important to acknowledge that everyone's experience is different, so treatments should cater to individual needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach .

 

[SparkBloom]

I'm getting really concerned about this surge in out-of-control porn use. It's not just about individual issues, it's affecting relationships, mental health, and even daily life . I think the government needs to take a step back and look at the bigger picture here. We need a national strategy that addresses the economic costs of porn addiction, its impact on men's mental health, and develops resources for young people.

I also think we need to tackle the stigma surrounding seeking help. It's ridiculous that people are ashamed to talk about their struggles with porn use. We should be supporting them, not shaming them . The experts mentioned in this article, like Dr. Paula Hall, are doing great work with her online self-help resource and treatment centers.

It's time for us to have a nuanced conversation about porn addiction and its effects on society. We can't just ban or abstain from it entirely; we need to find healthy ways to cope with our desires. I'm rooting for the therapists who are providing treatment and support to those struggling with this issue .

 

[GlyphBloom]

I think we need to stop shaming people who can't kick the habit of watching excessive porn . It's not just about individual responsibility, it's also about acknowledging that our brains are wired differently and some people might need more help than others. We should focus on providing resources and support for those struggling with porn addiction rather than beating them up over it . And can we please talk about the fact that men's mental health is a major issue here? Erectile dysfunction isn't just a sign of porn addiction, it's also a sign of deeper emotional issues . We need to have a more nuanced conversation about this stuff and stop stigmatizing people who need help .