Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock lately (and you’ll see that some of these people actually have) you would have seen me all over social media talking about porn addiction, and the damage it does to men. I’ve done some videos and interactive posts on my private Facebook page, gathering opinions and views in regards to this topic. I also conducted an online survey around Porn Addiction and received data from 200 men. The survey itself caused a bit of a stir. I got a lot of positive feedback from men that filled it in, saying it was confronting and thanking me for making them think about their current situation. I also had a number of men message me saying it was too personal and they refused to answer such “crap”. I had men messaging me already disagreeing with me that there’s no such thing as a porn addiction and isn’t it better than cheating?! Some even compared it to alcoholism or drug addiction, saying that it’s better than having those other addictions. The justification and confrontation was huge.
I then launched a sneak peak of the survey results (see infographic) and Facebook turned into quite an upsetting place for me to visit during those times. Not only did I have the usual suspects making lewd comments on my business page but I had industry professionals and past clients trying to tear me down and discredit me. I received private messages from men telling me that I was doing great work, but that the survey was bogus and redundant, and that apparently I didn’t know what I was doing. I had people offering me advice everywhere I turned, telling me to change my focus and my niche, telling me I was shaming men, and telling me that I was wrong. I’ve had healers telling me I need to work with women, that I need to find a man, that I need to get away from the sexuality focus. I’ve even had a partner offer me money to change my career path and not work with men, because he had a massive issue with it. I have lost people in my life because of this choice to work with men and in particular in the field of Tantra, sexual health and porn addiction. So don’t doubt for one second that I’m not committed to this cause.
I have collated a number of messages and reactions that I’ve received trying to launch my empowering 30 Day Porn Addiction Program. I have since been interviewed on radio where the male presenter read some of the comments out aloud that were personally targeting me. It has been quite the journey…
"Do you have a penis or ever had a penis? If not, you have no idea about men or their needs. Just coz your book says so you’re not qualified to know. Why would anybody not want to watch porn. Seriously guys. Nothing wrong with watching porn and wacking off.”
"Formal qualified research shows much different outcomes. This survey tells us nothing that is not already known? And if something is indulged by 100% of potential participants, is it a bad thing?”
“To take some general physical conditions experienced by most men and conflate them with a natural desire is stretching things just to make a case for a poor premise. You can easily replace the word porn with masturbation and run the same argument.”
“We need to elevate masculinity instead of shaming it with bogus redundant surveys aimed at proving a partisan point of view. Watching porn isn't the problem in today's society.”
“What would u prefer he did, cheat or wank?”
“Which born again Christian conducted this survey? I hope every porn actress on the planet is getting a copy of this survey.”
“Wait I’m confused. Are you trying to link watching porn to mental health? Time to switch channels I think. Best of luck with your research. I know that christians are batshit crazy as well and I don’t let that get to me. By the way, you also missed other side effects. Blisters on hands and hardness of hearing after setting your phone volume really low. Might be worth a look.”
“How does it do damage?????? It stops rapists.”
"Look at her hands (my pic), they are well worn from all the masturbating she’s been doing on her master.”
"You’re too attached to making a personal policy statement than embracing life”
“Why on earth would you even ask ... Grasshopper... are you looking for notoriety rather than anything else? ... Catherine ... I feel very uncomfortable about some of your recent posts.”
So that's how it goes! The majority think it's a joke, and most don't even understand that addiction to porn is possible. Unfortunately the stats don't lie and we have a huge epidemic on our hands. Regardless of the reaction, my plight continues, and I am successfully changing men's lives each day. For every keyboard warrior, there is an equal shift in perception and awareness, as we consciously open the minds (and hearts) of men (and women!). If you would like a free copy of my eBook on Porn Addiction, please visit https://pornaddictionimhs.gr8.com/. I offer consultations, various hands-on treatments (Kinesiology, Integrated Massage Therapy, Kundalini Awakening, Intuitive Healing), video strategy sessions, and a 30 day online program http://www.30daypornprogram.gr8.com/.
Catherine Lyell
Men’s Health & Porn Addiction Specialist
Integrated Men’s Health Solutions
+61 401541571