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Hormones & Anxiety
I am posting this question so I can try to get to the root cause of my anxiety. I have had anxiety for about 4 years. I have seen many doctors and psychiatrist for my anxiety and have never found a solution. I have been on quite a few different medications to no avail. I do have a problem with masturbation. I masturbate 1-2 times a day and I have since I was 15 years old. I began to research hormonal imbalances caused by excessive masturbation and I think that could be my problem. I also experience fatique, high blood pressure, occasional depression, panic attacks, and social anxiety. There is limited information available online about this condition but I did read that all of my symptoms could be caused by a hormonal imbalance. I have talked to my general practicioner about the possibility of a hormonal imbalance and it was kind of shoved to the side.
Has anyone else experienced such a thing? Would the anxiety and other symptoms eventually go away if I stopped the chronic masturbation? What, if any, medications are available to treat this situation?
Has anyone else experienced such a thing? Would the anxiety and other symptoms eventually go away if I stopped the chronic masturbation? What, if any, medications are available to treat this situation?
Pertaining to the blood pressure, I am not sure what is up with it. My blood pressure readings normally run 140-150 for systolic and 60-80 for diastolic. I am making assumptions about the hormonal thing but I can't seem to find a better explanation. I guess in a way I was just hoping that the anxiety was caused from a medical reason so it would just go away. I should point out that I am a hypochondriac so this horomone thing could just be a manifestation from that. My official diagnosis from the doctor is OCPD and hypochondria.
Sorry about that, I actually read it wrong, you were very clear. At 22, I still wouldn't think once or twice a day was terribly excessive, but a bit more so than at 15. It's not like you're spending all day every day doing this.
Could you answer some of the other questions I asked? What's up with the BP? Even at 22, that's VERY young to have hypertension.
I think you're just making assumptions about the hormonal thing, because it would make sense as a cause for the anxiety. You just may be one of the unfortunate ones (like the rest of us here, and 18% of the entire US population) with an anxiety disorder.
While some anxiety may be caused by a medical reason, or a past, deep seeded psychological trauma, others sort of just "happen" and we never find a concrete reason. It's really common to want to find an answer, so we can figure out the "fix". You figure, if you found out you had a hormonal imbalance, you could easily fix that medically. Having anxiety without something triggering it is much more unsettling, because there is no easy "fix".
What did the psychiatrist say, did he offer an official diagnosis? Have you ever asked your doc about the masturbation? If so, what did he say?
Could you answer some of the other questions I asked? What's up with the BP? Even at 22, that's VERY young to have hypertension.
I think you're just making assumptions about the hormonal thing, because it would make sense as a cause for the anxiety. You just may be one of the unfortunate ones (like the rest of us here, and 18% of the entire US population) with an anxiety disorder.
While some anxiety may be caused by a medical reason, or a past, deep seeded psychological trauma, others sort of just "happen" and we never find a concrete reason. It's really common to want to find an answer, so we can figure out the "fix". You figure, if you found out you had a hormonal imbalance, you could easily fix that medically. Having anxiety without something triggering it is much more unsettling, because there is no easy "fix".
What did the psychiatrist say, did he offer an official diagnosis? Have you ever asked your doc about the masturbation? If so, what did he say?
Sorry that I confused you but I am currently 22 years old. I started masturbating when I was 15 and have done it ever since then. I came to the conclusion that my masturbation was excessive after reading a bunch of articles online about excessive masturbation. I hope this clears up some of your confusion.
according to his profile he's 22 now....I'm just wondering some of the same things you asked because I have a friend that's suffering from some of his same symptoms but he's a little older....
Hello and welcome!
To be honest, I'm not sure, at 15 years of age, your frequency and amount of masturbation would be considered "excessive" in the least bit! Have YOU come to the conclusion that it is excessive, or did a professional tell you that? Are you feeling guilty about it?
You say you have high blood pressure? At 15? Has that been diagnosed by a doctor, and if so, what info did they offer as to a cause at your young age? What does your BP run? Do you have any other medical problems or symptoms? Do you take any medication daily?
If you REALLY want to explore the hormonal possibility, your best bet would be to ask for a referral to an Endocrinologist. You have to keep in mind, however, that you are smack dab in the middle of puberty, where hormonal surges are to be expected. There ARE lab tests to assess levels of hormones such as testosterone, etc., which can be compared with expected levels in your age range.
Other than the blood pressure, which I would like more info about...I don't see anything overly concerning about your habits. You may indeed have a problem with anxiety and/or depression, which can be tough to treat, especially for people your age...because the meds typically prescribed don't work exactly as intended, like they do for adults. Have you tried therapy?
I always tell people...you have to get to a point where finding the CAUSE of anxiety becomes less important than treating it. Some people chase their tails for literally YEARS trying to find the answer to that million dollar question..."WHY?" You just may need to keep trying until you find a med, or therapy that works for you. Some of these issues will improve as you start completing active puberty.
Good luck to you...hope to hear back from you so we can sort through some of these details from your OP.
To be honest, I'm not sure, at 15 years of age, your frequency and amount of masturbation would be considered "excessive" in the least bit! Have YOU come to the conclusion that it is excessive, or did a professional tell you that? Are you feeling guilty about it?
You say you have high blood pressure? At 15? Has that been diagnosed by a doctor, and if so, what info did they offer as to a cause at your young age? What does your BP run? Do you have any other medical problems or symptoms? Do you take any medication daily?
If you REALLY want to explore the hormonal possibility, your best bet would be to ask for a referral to an Endocrinologist. You have to keep in mind, however, that you are smack dab in the middle of puberty, where hormonal surges are to be expected. There ARE lab tests to assess levels of hormones such as testosterone, etc., which can be compared with expected levels in your age range.
Other than the blood pressure, which I would like more info about...I don't see anything overly concerning about your habits. You may indeed have a problem with anxiety and/or depression, which can be tough to treat, especially for people your age...because the meds typically prescribed don't work exactly as intended, like they do for adults. Have you tried therapy?
I always tell people...you have to get to a point where finding the CAUSE of anxiety becomes less important than treating it. Some people chase their tails for literally YEARS trying to find the answer to that million dollar question..."WHY?" You just may need to keep trying until you find a med, or therapy that works for you. Some of these issues will improve as you start completing active puberty.
Good luck to you...hope to hear back from you so we can sort through some of these details from your OP.
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