TeenHealthFX - Answers - Masturbates Too Much

Other Emotional Health Issues / Question
Published: March 4, 2009

Dear TeenHealthFX,

You guys always say that mastrabating is normal and everything if it doesn't interfere with your life right? Well, I think that I'm kind of addicted to it, I don't have a boyfriend or anything but there are some days where I'm really stressed out, maybe about a test or some issues with my firends, but instead of studying or doing my homework I'll spend all night on fetish websites and reading erotic stories and stuff. Sometimes I just don't do my homework or I just don't pick up the phone when my friends call becasue I'm too busy mastrabating. I usually mastrabate everyday right when I get home from school and I know that sometimes I do it too much, but the thing is, what do I do to stop? I mean, I try to occupy myself and stuff but when things get tough I just revert back to mastrabating. I started doing it almost to self-medicate a little bit becasue of my depression but now I can't really stop. What should I do? Mastrabtes too much

Signed: Masturbates Too Much

Dear Masturbates Too Much,

You are right that TeenHealthFX sees masturbating as a normal activity – unless it does start to feel like an addiction that interferes with day-to-day life. It sounds like you see your masturbation as kind of self-medication – helping you to deal with stressful situations, escape from difficult circumstances or moods, or as a method of elevating your mood.

FX strongly recommends that you meet with a mental health professional to discuss your depression and the difficulties you can have when facing various stressors or difficult situations. If you have some kind of depressive disorder that is not being effectively treated, it will be hard for you to get the masturbating under control. It may be necessary for you to be in individual therapy, family therapy, and/or on some kind of medication management treatment. In addition, you may need to develop and put into place some alternate coping mechanisms when you are feeling stressed so you do not have to feel like you are completely relying on masturbating as an outlet.

If you live in northern New Jersey and need help finding a therapist you can call the Access Center from Atlantic Behavioral Health at 973-247-1400. Outside of this area you can log onto the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website for referrals in your area. You can also contact your insurance company to get a list of in-network mental health providers or check with your school social worker or psychologist to get a list of referrals in your area.

Signed: TeenHealthFX