Post by KSSunflower on Feb 12, 2020 17:32:08 GMT -6
I find it a bit ironic that this article talks about not calling it addiction but uses it in the title. www.ldsliving.com/Why-1-Latter-day-Saint-Psychologist-is-On-a-Mission-to-Reframe-the-Way-You-Think-of-Pornography-Addiction/s/92348?utm_source=ldsliving&utm_medium=email
Nevertheless, it had some good suggestions.
I appreciated the part that focuses on identifying the symptom.
"Too often there’s such a focus on, ‘I’ve got to stop gaming or shopping or eating or looking at porn,’ but there might be something chronic that’s underlying their behavior . . . that’s very treatable."
I also liked that it talked about normalizing the struggle and feeling like it's something we can talk about more openly. However, I think many people feel they will be looked down upon if they were to admit this to people. So, they keep it to themselves. Also they fact that you are likely going to be encouraged to talk to the bishop and there may be consequences attached to that. I think most people would rather not have to deal with the feelings that come with that on top of their struggles.
One thing I didn't like was that it kept referring to this issue as unwanted viewing of sexual images. I don't think that is accurate. People don't do things, of their own free will, that they don't want. If we are doing things we don't want, if we are acting against our own desires; then that suggests some level of lack of control or choice. It may not be an addiction. It might be a compulsion. Regardless of what you call it, it's something a lot of people can't seem to overcome without outside help, even when they want to stop. For those that don't want to stop, it's not a problem.
It was interesting it mentioned that religious people feel distress as high as those who view at high rates, even if they don't view it very often. That suggests that how we think about pornography and it's evils affects our mental health when we do end up viewing it here and there.
Share your thoughts.
Nevertheless, it had some good suggestions.
I appreciated the part that focuses on identifying the symptom.
"Too often there’s such a focus on, ‘I’ve got to stop gaming or shopping or eating or looking at porn,’ but there might be something chronic that’s underlying their behavior . . . that’s very treatable."
I also liked that it talked about normalizing the struggle and feeling like it's something we can talk about more openly. However, I think many people feel they will be looked down upon if they were to admit this to people. So, they keep it to themselves. Also they fact that you are likely going to be encouraged to talk to the bishop and there may be consequences attached to that. I think most people would rather not have to deal with the feelings that come with that on top of their struggles.
One thing I didn't like was that it kept referring to this issue as unwanted viewing of sexual images. I don't think that is accurate. People don't do things, of their own free will, that they don't want. If we are doing things we don't want, if we are acting against our own desires; then that suggests some level of lack of control or choice. It may not be an addiction. It might be a compulsion. Regardless of what you call it, it's something a lot of people can't seem to overcome without outside help, even when they want to stop. For those that don't want to stop, it's not a problem.
It was interesting it mentioned that religious people feel distress as high as those who view at high rates, even if they don't view it very often. That suggests that how we think about pornography and it's evils affects our mental health when we do end up viewing it here and there.
Share your thoughts.
