“Pornography Addiction”: Elements for Discussion of a Case Report

Can Internet pornography use (IPU) lead to addiction? “Pornography addiction” is a highly controversial concept within the scientific community. In the absence of consensus, international classifications do not consider that the concept meets the criteria to be recognized as a distinct diagnostic entity. However, the term “pornography addiction” has now become common parlance and is therefore present in the discourse of patients seeking therapy to address what they perceive as problematic pornography consumption. Drawing on a brief case vignette, presenting the case of a man who views himself as a pornography addict, we offer a critical review of this concept. Different diagnostic hypotheses will be considered. Beyond the diagnostic process, we consider the issue of “perceived addiction” and its relationship with “moral incongruence.” From a psychotherapeutic view, we suggest that patients who self-identify as “porn addicts” must be supported using a more comprehensive approach that goes beyond their symptomatic behavior or the manner in which they present or perceive themselves. The proposed therapy did not seek or require an end to the behavior. The therapy approach focused on exploring the patient’s history in an attempt to understand the construction of his sexuality and morality. In the case analyzed, focusing on the source of moral incongruence led to the disappearance of IPU and all associated suffering.