Just plain giving up seems counter-intuitive. Besides, I had given up for the majority of my master's degree. That didn't help either.

If I could just give up, I would. If I could just stop thinking about being with someone every time my mind isn't otherwise occupied (and sometimes even when it is) trust me, I would. It's torturous to think about it all the time with no relief. (And no, neither porn nor masturbation helps.) How is sexual "pleasure" even pleasure by yourself? It's just so empty of a feeling.