Difference between withdrawal symptoms and flatline?

in my experience
flatline = lack of libido. Little to no arousal to most things (except the porn you're addicted to) and no random erections.
Withdrawal symptoms = brain fog and difficulty focusing, depression and mood swings, anxiety... basically your brain initially freaking out due to the fact that your favorite escape and coping mechanism is no longer in use.

P.S. peeking is the devil. All my post day-30 relapses were due to that shit.

 

Withdrawal varies from person to person. The important thing is to stay strong and not let them lead you to a relapse. One thing I noticed with my experience is the way my withdrawal symptoms have become way more noticeable and to some extent worsened the more streak-relapse cycles I go though (been trying this for two year with a handful of 60+ streaks). Not sure why that is it is motivating me on this streak to not screw up.

 

This is because you are kindling. Each relapse brings on more worse withdrawal symptoms. - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kindling_(sedative–hypnotic_withdrawal)

I relapsed for over five years once I found out about nofap and it makes withdrawal unbearable.

Also, I think the flatline is part of withdrawal. I can also feel sensations in my head like my brain is rewirining. Like pressure.

 

This is very interesting! And though research for it revolves around alcoholism, that very dynamic of relapses leading to worsening withdrawal symptoms fits. Goes to show that PMO addiction is indeed as real as others.

Do you binge after your relapses? IS the effect somewhat reduced if one does not binges?

 

That is very interesting and very very scary! After reading that I am scared shitless. I could not understand why was I suffering so much, triple folded in comparison with previous streaks.
It doesn't make it easier but at least I know.
Still it can cause brain damage and death? Seriously?
I was not prepared to hear this...

 

Flatlining: Many NoFap® users report one or more periods of zero libido during their streak, especially in the 2-6 week period. Transitioning from an overexcited, always-eager libido to none at all can be disconcerting and even scary for the experienced masturbator, but many Fapstronauts report that it is only a phase in the reboot and will pass. [The Glossary^]

 

Indeed it is scary. I've bookmarked the page and will consult it every now and then when urges peak. Might as well use it to quit this shit for good

 

May I point out a couple of things, Big?

The flatline. The flatline is evidence or a symptom of healing and recovery. In order for the brain to work on the damaged reward circuit, it has to take it offline i.e flatline. So, when this occurs, it is a clear indication that repairs are happening.,

Rewiring does not cause 'pressure sensations' in the head. I think this comment comes from a confusion about the difference between a 'reboot' and a 'relapse'. Perhaps these words have been used as synonyms here, but they are not. Rewiring occurs further along the process of recovery. It refers to how the brain recalibrates itself to real people as attractive rather than pixels on a screen.

Rebooting is the process of restoring your brain to “factory defaults”. Verb meaning abstinence from sexual behaviours, namely the use of porn, but often also masturbation and sex. [Please see The Glossary^].

 

You misunderstood what I said. Or maybe I didn’t explain in detail. Since day 35 I have near enough have had constant head pressure. To me it feels like my brain is rewiring back to normality I have felt disconnected for a long time as a result of porn and masturbation and I also find porn boring now and can appreciate the beauty of a women.

For example the head pressure as intense as it is does come and go and in the periods that it has gone I feel as if progress from my mental symptoms has been made.

 

Thanks for the clarification. My biggest streak in recent times came on earlier this year as I held on strong for 60+ days but I relapsed because I started feeling like shit, lost motivation for my journey and I was constantly feeling low. This knowledge about withdrawal symptoms will get me more prepared for my new journey. My question is, how do you overcome that kind of pressure?

 

So, do you think that withdrawals get worse if you relapse?

 

110%. You will never recover if you relapse. This is an it it or not mentality, withdrawals got worse throughout the years.

 

It didn't matter if I went 77 days, 120 days or 210 days streak. After a relapse I was back in a pit of misery.

 

Thanks for the advice, i'll try not to make your mistake, thanks.

 

No worries, I wouldn't say it was a mistake I just knew no better, didn't find out about PAWS till 380 days ago. I knew that pmo was fucking me up somehow but didn't know it could give you withdrawals, was more of ignorance at the time. Mad really If I knew what I knew now back 5-6 years ago no doubt this would of been behind me. I really believe I am making good progress now. Has been up and down and very slow but nonetheless I am getting somewhere!

 

Well did you feel better after the relapse? After many many relapses on my end I realized that no amount of PMO and other sexual acting out will ever fulfill me at a higher level. Matter of fact all it does is strip me of my potential as an individual and as a lover. If I have to feel like shit for at least 3 months so I can fully cleanse myself of my addiction then so be it; at least that option has a happy ending (no pun intended) in the long-run.

I've lost friends, opportunities, willpower, dignity, money (called in sick to work multiple times due to staying up all night PMOing). There is no way I'm willing to keep living that way.

 

Were your relapses binge like or single relapse ?

 

Yeah, I would like to know this too. @Big Lebowski