Porn Addiction Test — Free Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Assessment
Test whether pornography use fits the pattern of compulsive sexual behaviour in 3 minutes. Free in the Mindtalk app.
Important safety information
The PORN includes a question about thoughts of self-harm (question 9). If you have had any such thoughts recently, please reach out for support before or instead of taking this assessment — you do not need to take a test to deserve help.
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Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder in ICD-11
CSBD (ICD-11 code 6C72) added in 2019. Requires:
- Persistent pattern of failure to control intense, repetitive sexual impulses or urges resulting in repetitive sexual behaviour
- Pattern present for at least 6 months
- Causes marked distress or impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, or other functioning
Continued behaviour despite negative consequences and reduced pleasure over time are common features.
Not everyone who uses porn has CSBD
Diagnostic features are impaired control PLUS impact:
- Unable to reduce or stop despite wanting to
- Time spent significantly interferes with work, relationships, or health
- Continuation despite negative consequences (relationship damage, sexual dysfunction, financial impact)
- Escalation over time (more time, more explicit content, more risky content)
Recreational use without these features is not CSBD.
What often underlies problematic porn use
Common patterns to screen alongside:
- Anxiety — porn as temporary relief. Take GAD-7.
- Depression — porn as low-effort dopamine. Take PHQ-9.
- Attachment difficulty — porn as substitute for intimacy that feels safer. Take Attachment Style Test.
- Trauma — porn as dissociation or self-regulation. Take ITQ.
- Loneliness / isolation — porn filling social gap.
Treating underlying condition often reduces porn use naturally. This is why isolated "stop using porn" approaches often fail — the underlying driver is still there.
The shame problem
Shame is a common driver AND consequence of problematic porn use. It drives secrecy, which often makes the problem worse. The cycle: shame → secrecy → isolation → more porn to self-regulate → more shame.
Compassion-focused therapy specifically targets shame. Take the Self-Compassion Test — low self-compassion amplifies the shame spiral.
Treatments backed by evidence
CBT for CSBD — 8-16 weeks. Components:
- Understanding what porn provides (relief from what emotion, connection to what need)
- Behavioural work — device settings, blocked access during vulnerable hours, alternative activities
- Cognitive work — thoughts about shame, worth, connection
- Underlying condition treatment — anxiety, depression, attachment, trauma
- Relationship / intimacy work if partnered
Compassion-Focused Therapy — For shame-driven patterns.
Couples therapy — If the pattern is affecting a relationship.
Support groups — Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA), Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA), or secular alternatives. Community support helps some.
Meta-analyses show moderate effect sizes for CBT + underlying condition treatment.
When to see a specialist
- Pornography use impairing relationships, work, health, or self-concept
- Unable to reduce despite wanting to
- Sexual dysfunction developing
- Shame and secrecy building
- Depression or anxiety alongside
- Impact on partner or family
Mindtalk's clinicians work with problematic sexual behaviour across Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mysore, and online for anywhere in India. Confidentiality is standard clinical protection.
Related reading
How to take the PORN
- 1
Open the Porn Consumption Test in the Mindtalk app
Tap "Take the Porn Test" to open the assessment.
- 2
Answer items about pornography use patterns and impact
For each item, describe your experience honestly.
- 3
Get your CSBD screening result
Receive your screening result with intervention recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder (CSBD)?
- CSBD (ICD-11 code 6C72) is characterised by: (1) persistent pattern of failure to control intense, repetitive sexual impulses or urges resulting in repetitive sexual behaviour; (2) pattern present for at least 6 months; (3) causes marked distress or impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, or other functioning. Continued behaviour despite negative consequences and reduced pleasure over time are common features. Added to ICD-11 in 2019 after decades of debate.
- Not everyone who uses porn has an addiction — how do I tell?
- Correct — most people who use pornography don't have CSBD. Diagnostic features are impaired control PLUS impact: (1) unable to reduce or stop despite wanting to; (2) time spent significantly interferes with work, relationships, or health; (3) continuation despite negative consequences (relationship damage, sexual dysfunction, financial impact); (4) escalation over time (more time, more explicit content, more risky content). Recreational use without these features is not CSBD.
- Is porn addiction real / recognised?
- The specific term "porn addiction" is contested. But the underlying pattern — Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder with pornography as the primary behaviour — is a formal ICD-11 diagnosis (2019). The debate is about mechanism (behavioural addiction, OCD-adjacent, impulse control) and terminology. The clinical reality — impaired control + impact — is what matters for treatment.
- What often underlies problematic porn use?
- Common underlying patterns: (1) Anxiety — porn provides temporary relief; (2) Depression — porn is low-effort dopamine; (3) Attachment difficulty — porn as substitute for intimacy that feels safer; (4) Trauma — porn as dissociation or self-regulation; (5) Loneliness / isolation. Treating the underlying condition often reduces porn use naturally, which is why isolated "stop using porn" approaches often fail.
- What treatment works?
- CBT-based intervention combining behaviour change with treatment of underlying condition. Components: (1) Understanding what porn provides (relief from what emotion, connection to what need); (2) Behavioural work — device settings, blocked access during vulnerable hours, alternative activities; (3) Cognitive work — thoughts about shame, worth, connection; (4) Underlying condition treatment — often highest-leverage; (5) Relationship / intimacy work if partnered. Support groups (SAA, SLAA, secular alternatives) help some. Meta-analyses show moderate effect sizes.
- What about shame?
- Shame is a common driver AND consequence of problematic porn use. It also drives secrecy which often makes the problem worse. Compassion-focused therapy specifically targets shame. Take the [Self-Compassion Test](/assessments/self-compassion-test) — low self-compassion amplifies shame spiral.
- When should I see a specialist?
- If pornography use is impairing relationships, work, health, or sense of self. If you can't reduce despite wanting to. If shame or secrecy is significant. If sexual dysfunction has developed. If depression or anxiety is present alongside. Mindtalk's clinicians work with problematic sexual behaviour across Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mysore, and online for anywhere in India.
Need a clinician's read on your results?
A high score is a signal, not a diagnosis. Mindtalk's psychiatrists and clinical psychologists can interpret your results and recommend next steps — same-day appointments available.