Compulsive Masturbation May Become Method for Avoiding Relationships

Claiming a greater segment of recent conversations and articles in the ever-expanding subject of sexual compulsivity and sexual addiction is the element of self-sex – also referred to as an addiction to masturbation, or compulsive acts of masturbation.

Researchers and psychologists have expressed fears that obsessive masturbation leads to a state of confusion between a person’s physical and emotional self, because the act involves a sexual release without the emotional bond with another person. Although the behavior seems benign, masturbation may actually create a further rift between the person and true emotional intimacy.

Masturbation can create a dopamine release that the body craves over time, becoming obsessive or addictive – yet it is free of the risk or emotional hardship, for some, of forming a personal bond with someone else. Similar to sexual addiction, people with compulsive masturbation behaviors use the activity as a way of escaping or releasing stress and may have long held difficulties with close personal relationships.

Compulsive masturbation can actually cause more problems for people in maintaining arousal or sexual interest, because they may condition the body to expect a type of overstimulation as part of sexual activity. Pornography may also be frequently involved, further contributing to the risk for addiction.

Like other addictions, compulsive masturbation can begin a cycle of seeking a release or rush of pleasure, but needing more and more to get the same high over time until the situation becomes out of control.