childhod masterbation mystery??

[mrsvince2]

I know this is a little different than normal. My question is not about my child but my childhood. I have been reading the posts of parents whose children frequently masterbate. I am 31 years old and I am dealing with morbid obeasity. I think it is linked to my childhood masterbation. I don't remember when I started I think about 3  but at some point my sister did it with me. I think about 7 or so she is 2 years younger.  I am not sure why or how this started but I would straddle her and rub against her until I got off, at other times she was on top. I also rubbed against anything else I could find. I was obsessed with sex and had sexual thoughts about men in my family. I knew that this was wrong but I couldn't stop it. I always felt like there was something wrong with me and I was bad. I reacently asked my mom if I was sexually abused but she says there is no way because she was too overprotecive. I know this is a long question but I am desprate for an answer. Is what I experianced as a child normal or did I sexually abuse my sister?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Good. You are doing a good thing for yourself - stick with it.

[mrsvince2]

I am currently in therapy. I just started and we have not touched much on this subject yet. She does know that it is an issue but we are focusing on my eating disorder first. Thanks

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Masturbation is normal; what occurred between you and your sister is not normal. Now, it is important for you to get some help with this issue - it is having an influence on you all these years later. Generally, when people have been sexually abused during their childhood (particularly at age six or after) they do recall the mistreatment, though not in each and every instance. While what occurred with you and your sister is not within the bounds of normal, the salient issue now is what it means for you at this point. In one sense it is water over the dam, but in another sense the matter is very much alive for you - that is why you should seek therapy.