The combination of Sexual Addiction, PORN & Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorders dangers are not necessarily of a physical nature), although often people cannot specify what the dangers might be. This excessive vigilance is related to their hyper aroused state of danger. Because they are always alert to potential threats, they are easily distracted from tasks on which they are working on their hyper-vigilance also contributes to difficulty in falling asleep. This same vigilance influences the sex addict and porn user.
Generalized anxiety disorder might best be described
as consisting of prolonged, vague, unexplained,
but intense fears that do not seem to be attached to any
particular object. They resemble normal fears, but there
is no actual danger, and in most cases danger is not even
imagined to be present. Although anxiety is a factor in
many types of disorders, the generalized anxiety disorder
is reserved for cases that aren’t complicated by
problems such as poor contact with reality. While
the cause of the anxiety is usually hard to identify,
environmental events and recent experiences may play a
role. One study found that in a large number of cases
of generalized anxiety disorder, sufferers had experienced
important negative and unexpected events in the months
before the anxiety reached clinical proportions.
(Blazer). Many sex addicts experience this type of
anxiety after being caught by their spouse or partner.
Panic Disorder
The indicators of panic disorder are similar to those of
generalized anxiety disorder except that they are greater
magnified and usually have a sudden onset. People with
panic disorder may not be anxious all the time. Instead,
they have unanticipated anxiety attacks that recur after
periods (perhaps several days) of normal functioning.
Severe palpitations, extreme shortness of breath, chest
pains or discomfort, trembling, sweating, dizziness, and
a feeling of helplessness mark the panic attacks.
The victims fear that they will die, go crazy, or do
something uncontrolled, and they report a variety of
unusual psycho-sensory symptoms.
Many sex addicts experience this type of anxiety
after being caught by their spouse or partner.
Frequently Reported Psycho-sensory Symptoms
Experienced During Panic Attacks
In the following case, frequent panic attacks had a definitely incapacitating effect.
A 35-year-old mathematician gave a history of
episodic palpitations and faintness over the previous
15 years. There had been periods of remission of up to
five years) but in the past year the symptoms had
increased and in the last few days the patient had
stopped working because of his distress. His chief
complaints were that at any time and without
warning) he might suddenly feel he was about to
faint and f all down) or tremble and experience
palpitations) and if standing would cringe and clutch
at the nearest wall or chair. If he was driving a car
at the time he would pull up at the curbside and
wait for the feelings to pass off before he resumed his
journey. If it occurred during sexual intercourse with
his wife he would immediately separate from her. If it
happened while he was lecturing ) his thoughts became
distracted) he could not concentrate) and he found it
difficult to continue. He was becoming afraid of
walking alone in the street or of driving his car f or
fear that the episodes would be triggered by it) and
was loath to travel by public transport. Although he
felt safer when accompanied) this did not abolish his
symptoms. Between attacks the patient did not feel
completely well) and a slight tremulousness persisted.
The attacks could come on at any time of day or
night. The patient had had a happy childhood without
nervous symptoms) led an active social life when in
remission) and had a contented marriage and
vigorous professional life. - (Marks and Lader)
The term panic attack denotes an abrupt surge of
intense anxiety rising to a peak that is either cued by
particular stimuli (or thinking about them) .QL occurs
without obvious cues (spontaneous and unpredictable)]
In the former case (which is more common), persons
experiencing panic often have persistent phobic fears
and the stimuli evoke the fears. People who have panic
attack s when evoking stimuli are not present typically
do not have phobias as well.
Anxiety Disorders Treatment
Generalized anxiety disorder might best be described
as consisting of prolonged, vague, unexplained,
but intense fears that do not seem to be attached to any
particular object. They resemble normal fears, but there
is no actual danger, and in most cases danger is not even
imagined to be present. Although anxiety is a factor in
many types of disorders, the generalized anxiety disorder
is reserved for cases that aren’t complicated by
problems such as poor contact with reality. While
the cause of the anxiety is usually hard to identify,
environmental events and recent experiences may play a
role. One study found that in a large number of cases
of generalized anxiety disorder, sufferers had experienced
important negative and unexpected events in the months
before the anxiety reached clinical proportions.
(Blazer). Many sex addicts experience this type of
anxiety after being caught by their spouse or partner.
Panic Disorder
The indicators of panic disorder are similar to those of
generalized anxiety disorder except that they are greater
magnified and usually have a sudden onset. People with
panic disorder may not be anxious all the time. Instead,
they have unanticipated anxiety attacks that recur after
periods (perhaps several days) of normal functioning.
Severe palpitations, extreme shortness of breath, chest
pains or discomfort, trembling, sweating, dizziness, and
a feeling of helplessness mark the panic attacks.
The victims fear that they will die, go crazy, or do
something uncontrolled, and they report a variety of
unusual psycho-sensory symptoms.
Many sex addicts experience this type of anxiety
after being caught by their spouse or partner.
Frequently Reported Psycho-sensory Symptoms
Experienced During Panic Attacks
- Distortion of light intensity
- Distortion of sound intensity
- Strange feeling in stomach
- Sensations of floating, turning, moving
- Feelings of unreality and loss of self-identity
- Panic attacks range in length from a few seconds to many hours and even days.
(They also differ in severity and in the degree of incapacitation involved).
In the following case, frequent panic attacks had a definitely incapacitating effect.
A 35-year-old mathematician gave a history of
episodic palpitations and faintness over the previous
15 years. There had been periods of remission of up to
five years) but in the past year the symptoms had
increased and in the last few days the patient had
stopped working because of his distress. His chief
complaints were that at any time and without
warning) he might suddenly feel he was about to
faint and f all down) or tremble and experience
palpitations) and if standing would cringe and clutch
at the nearest wall or chair. If he was driving a car
at the time he would pull up at the curbside and
wait for the feelings to pass off before he resumed his
journey. If it occurred during sexual intercourse with
his wife he would immediately separate from her. If it
happened while he was lecturing ) his thoughts became
distracted) he could not concentrate) and he found it
difficult to continue. He was becoming afraid of
walking alone in the street or of driving his car f or
fear that the episodes would be triggered by it) and
was loath to travel by public transport. Although he
felt safer when accompanied) this did not abolish his
symptoms. Between attacks the patient did not feel
completely well) and a slight tremulousness persisted.
The attacks could come on at any time of day or
night. The patient had had a happy childhood without
nervous symptoms) led an active social life when in
remission) and had a contented marriage and
vigorous professional life. - (Marks and Lader)
The term panic attack denotes an abrupt surge of
intense anxiety rising to a peak that is either cued by
particular stimuli (or thinking about them) .QL occurs
without obvious cues (spontaneous and unpredictable)]
In the former case (which is more common), persons
experiencing panic often have persistent phobic fears
and the stimuli evoke the fears. People who have panic
attack s when evoking stimuli are not present typically
do not have phobias as well.
Anxiety Disorders Treatment