i need help- masturbation addiction

To everyone on PsychForums, hello.
I'm a 21 years old male, and i have a problem.
I'm addicted to masturbation.
For the past two years i have been aware of the situation but not quite aware of the fact that this is a problem.
I would try to make myself stop, but every time i had the urge to masturbate i would tell my self "hey. this is no big deal. it's just masturbation. it's not like i am addicted to drugs" and do it again and again.
I masturbate atleast 2 times a day (a working day, on vacations it can go as much as 7 times if not more), I masturbate even in the office when i'm alone sometimes, while i am in the shower, and just about anytime i get the chance to do so.
The problem is, i'm not even enjoying masturbation anymore. i just want to climax so it won't bother me and i can go on with my life, and continue doing whatever i was doing before.
this also inteferes with my sex life, because sex after long time without ejaculation is far more enjoyable. and due to the fact i'm always ejaculating when i'm alone, i don't enjoy sex that much. I also find it too hard to ejeculate after masturbating, and way too easy if I had succeeded to keep myself from masturbating in the past couple of days.
Also, probably because of my addiction, i get sexually aroused from virtually anything! just, not doing anything at the moment, makes me think of sexy scenarios (especially when i am alone), and half of the time i don't even get hard while being sexually aroused.

Ihave decided i wish to deal with this problem, and try to masturbate far less than i do now.
but despite my several attempts to quit masturbation I always return to doing it.
And so... I have come here in an attempt to find help, a good advice, or maybe even someone to quit with.

I am sorry if i wrote in the wrong forum. i am new here.

Thanks in advance,
4go10soul

Hi,

I think that twice per day is'nt too bad, but what is bad is the locations that you are doing it in. So, whilst completely quitting masturbation shouldn't be your main aim, it [your main aim] should be to just not do it in inappropriate places. Do you think you will be able to do that? Quitting it altogether might prove too difficult. Perhaps you could come to agreement with yourself to only do it in the morning and then in the evening when you are at home.

Kevin

Hey--

I'm with Kevin. I don't think that it's the frequency, it's doing it at the office. I'm wondering if you're a bit of an exhibitionist? I know you're alone, but I'm wondering if doing it outside the "usual" places for sexual activity adds to the rush. Not saying that there's anything inherently wrong with doing it outside--but a secluded woodland area might be more appropriate than the workplace.

Regarding how your masturbation schedule impacts your sex life: It may be possible to train yourself to enjoy sex THROUGH masturbation. Try splitting your time in half. Half the time, just do what you usually do. The other half, visualize yourself with the person with whom you're involved. Instead of trying to "get it over with" (which can translate to your sex life), try actively enjoying solitary sex as you would if your partner (or partners) were there.

You may have already read these sites. If so, may they stay for posterity. WARNING: may contain MATURE CONTENT (duh).
http://www.tantra-sex.com/tantra-article2.html
http://www.askmen.com/dating/love_tip_2 ... e_tip.html
http://sexuality.about.com/od/masturbat ... ionmyt.htm (and the links that follow)

I honestly don't think that you're "addicted" to masturbation. You're a 21-year-old male! Come on! If anything, you're on a perfectly healthy schedule (unless you have a medical condition that states otherwise).

Now, if there are reasons such as religion, physical health, or personal preference why you feel you need to do it less, then I support you. However, I think that stopping/cutting back should be YOUR INFORMED CHOICE.

The only problem I see with masturbation is when it takes the place of sex in a relationship. If your girlfriend is starving for sex and you're whacking it in the shower, the two of you have got yourselves a problem. But I believe I've already covered that.

A decent article on managing masturbation:
http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-a-Masturbation-Addiction

Just in case you come across the following site, I'm including it so that you don't get caught in its trap. I repeat, DO NOT use the following site for help. Some of the articles are good, but others are just freakin' weird. Even though the site admits (unwillingly) that masturbation is not inherently harmful, it has a guilt-ridden, old-wives'-tale flavor.
http://www.howtostopmasturbating.com/
And for the love of God, don't click on their sponsor...or you'll learn that the current economic crisis was actually caused by the p0rn industry!!!

Anyway...my advice is: in your search for self-help resources, take everything with a grain of salt. If you want to quit or decrease the frequency, do it out of self-control, not guilt.


Wow, I am definitely the wrong girl to talk to about quitting masturbation. Pretty much the only pact I can offer you is I'll do it more if you do it less!

I am not sure but your age probably has something to do with it. At 21, you are at the prime