advice/support welcome

My boyfriend (26M) and I (23f) have been together six years now and ive always been happy with him. There have been a lot of moments that could have broken most couples due to physical or verbal reactions, but my boyfriend has schizo-affective disorder and is unmedicated. He does an amazing job at keeping his head on his shoulders and managing day to day life when he is dealing with depression and the constant chaos around us. We face many situations that are rough, almost nonstop. Neither of us want kids, we love having thorough conversations about things, we are passionate people. We agree to disagree when we need to and address matters with rationality. These commonalities and strengths help us keep our relationship level but lately I have been STRUGGLING.
I have recently been diagnosed with epilepsy, had a late start driving anyway so I am always relying on him and family members constantly trying not to be or feel like a burden. This illness fucking sucks and makes things hard on both of us as I havent been able to find the right medication yet to stop the seizures altogether. Our work schedules typically coincides with each other’s but sometimes he works nights.
We have always had great communication and are very open about everything so we never snoop or anything or sneak bc no need. He has my passwords I have his, the normal shit you hear. About 6 months ago I was on his computer as we only have one lol, and I accidentally typed the wrong letter and porn popped up. Not your regular either, nothing illegal or overtly disturbing but the gross stuff you would hope your partner isnt into. I was icked, I have body dysmorphia always have and he knows this which is probably why weve never actually talked about watching porn or anything bc it is the concept of getting off to other people, theres really no way around that. I got upset but kept it to myself until he got home and we ended up having a heated moment and I brought it up. I kind of threw it in his face because my feelings were hurt but he basically threatened to leave me because he thought I was insulting him and that I thought he was a vile person. He was saying it has nothing to do with attraction and that he has a problem and he feels like a disgusting person himself, that he loves me and doesnt want anyone else and that hes got a problem.
I told him hes not disgusting, it makes me uncomfortable and hurts my feelings (mostly because its completely behind my back) but that im not an idiot and I do understand that it is very normalized and common. We hugged and talked through it and honestly we did not necessarily come to a solution or conclusion but our relationship was stronger for being vulnerable and moving over the hill.
Today he is working a night again, I had to go to some event for his family as it was a ladies only thing, his family members picked me up felt very uncomfortable going but I love him and his family, I did what I gotta do you know its whatever. I come home and hes gone for work, I go to the computer to watch youtube while I clean up, do laundry, and maybe rot the rest of the day away. and fucking boom I type another letter and I see something inappropriate in search history. but this time it stemmed from twitter and moved to discord???? I couldnt not text him and tell him im mad at him. I was not waiting again to address it because we already have. porn freaks me out and grosses me out as it is. im not a full blown prude, we have a great intimate life. we have sex often and get pretty freaky deaky sometimes but I let it go and he stated blatant as day that he doesnt like that he does it and it makes him feel terrible. So now seeing something move from one platform to another one, which is definitely more private and explicit, I didnt check I dont need to hurt my feelings more just to prove myself right again im not that much of an idiot. I message him to say wtf basically and he’s apologetic and wants to talk after work which duh theres no getting around this.
Within his response to me though he straight up hits me with the hes saving to purpose while acknowledging its a horrible time to bring it up. Plain manipulation like sir are you dumb. Not to mention that we are not financially stable. I am definitely very upset, my feelings are hurt, I put my body through hell with personal training every week despite my muscular dystrophy and now epilepsy. I am always telling myself im not enough so to see this shit happen really feels like I am correct.
I have read posts on reddit about their male partners being addicted to porn and whatever and even read a reply from someone stating a study regarding mice being unable to stay monogamous. but idk look at birds. and other mammals eat or kill their partner that they are mating with so I dont necessarily like that comparison.
I dont think ill be comfortable with the porn thing ever but for it to go into a discord is what is really really fucking me up. If I find out he sent messages I might lose my mind, man may make me tonic clonic.
Anyway, I suppose I vent this and am posting this because Im in a very weird spot, I am purposefully leaving other personal details out of this bc my situation is unique so god forbid someone I know sees this. I am the support for my family that we live with and honestly a huge support for him, much as he is a big support to me. I love him, and he has stated to me that he has problem and wants to stop. part of me doesnt believe that bc he is a man. not to be like that but realistically he IS a man and ive lost a lot of faith in the concept of full loyalty in regard to any man. but we both struggled with addictions in our past and I believe him when he is saying this is a result of his addictive personality, am I going to have penny and dime money for therapy or something? Are there any support people or something anything to help with this ?? I dont know dude it all feels so messy and if he messaged I do consider that cheating and idk if I can forgive that. Im just stuck and do not know how to perceive this. any other perspectives appreciated.

TLDR: My bf might have a porn addiction and I feel like shit. probably have read something like it before.

Posted Jun 6, 2026, 9:29 PM UTC

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