How to stop Masturbation

[wishihadaname]

Im a 15 year old male and i've has this problem for 2 years now. i'm experiancing syptoms such as a wierd odor, muscle degeneration, lack of energy, lack of apetite, constant embarrasment, depression,and constant irritability. i've tried everything consevable to quit i've prayed, starved, tried to logic/will my way out of earges, punish myself, whip myself, and fire a 360 fps airsoft pistol into my genetails hoping to do enough dammage to make the earges stop. all of these have failed even the pistol. i've also tried scientific aproaches (i got to a medically orientated high school but my knowlage on the subject is very limited). the only real progress i think i've made is that i think this has something to do with endorphins because i tried doing a daily chocolate ration (i heard somwere that chocolate causes the body to realease endorphins) and i got some lessning of the earges, but not enough for me to be able to overcome them. every time i get them its like someone hits the override switch in my head, that why logic and will didn't work. on avarage i probably go 2-5 days inbetween occurances and my best is 13 days (i was on vacation though). what i really want to know is 1) how do the earges happend? 2) what events, foods, or sercomestances make them worse? 3) is there a mental stratagy to stop from being overriden? 4) am i on the right track with any of my ideas? and finally 5) how do i treat this condition without telling my parents or friends?

[Ted A Grossbart, Ph.D.]

I'm sorry that I do not have the answer to your request.  I think the next step is to find someone with maturity and good judgement and find the courage to talk to them about it.

tg

[wishihadaname]

im sorry but that is not normal! i read the statistics i've done some reserch i know its common but that does not mean its good! i want to be part of the 5% that doesn't have `the problem and im willing to do just about anything to achieve that. what i wanted to know was some strategy to help me quit, i've been trying myself for a long time and i simply cannot live with this problem. i hate and isolate myself because of it and all religius points of view aside this is wrecking my health. also i am an immigrant i didn't even know something like that happend until it happend to me on accident my parents have probably never even heard of something like that and i will do all i can to keep them from knowing. my friend know and suspect nothing but like i said its killing me to know that i can't control my own body!! please i just want to know how this happens, why it happens and how to stop it from happening.

[Ted A Grossbart, Ph.D.]

I'm very glad you wrote in.  I firmly believe that as a 15 yo boy masturbating a lot is TOTALLY NORMAL AND DOES NOT CAUSE ANY MEDICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS BY ITSELF.  I suspect you have been the victim of very misguided puritanical attitudes.  If your parents or other key figures in your life are part of this unfortunate mentality, you need to make contacts with new friends and advisors much father from home who have not also been victimized by this misguided point of view whether directly or on line.  Caught in the middle as you are between the urges and the attitudes, it is no surprise you are having a range of other symptoms and problems.

Who can you find as an ally who doesn't share these attitudes?  Possibly a doctor, a non-religious counselor,  a relative, teacher, anyone who you suspect may have more enlightened views.  Whatever it takes!!  Do it now!!