It seems to me that the two are really similar. People try to avoid eating or certain sexual behaviors, but eventually after depriving themselves for a long time, they give in and binge on them.
I have read some people say that they got over binge eating by giving up the dieting mindset. I wonder if one can get over binging on porn by giving up the no-porn mindset.
Any thoughts about this are appreciated.
Answer on Does anyone agree with this analogy between compulsive (binge) eating and compulsive sex (like porn use)?
Most compulsive behavior is an attempt to fill an inner void. The behavior itself isn't necessarily unhealthy, but the degree of control we let them have in our lives and the damage from putting so much of our time and attention into a single thing can have very unhealthy consequences.
So I'd have to say I think your analogy is a good one, though I'm not sure your conclusion is valid. If porn is *really* a problem in someone's life-- if they have to keep looking at more and more extreme images to receive gratification and it prevents them from having a normal, healthy sex life, I'd have to say the situation is probably more akin to smoking, where only stopping completely is going to really address the problem.
Personally, my interest in porn tends to evaporate when I'm in a sexually fulfilling relationship. Similarly, my craving for junk food goes away when I consistently eat a balanced diet: the healthy stuff seems to make the unhealthy less appealing.
BUT I think both porn and junk food have their place on occasion, it's all a matter of balance.
