The issue with masturbation is that it can become a way of hiding from things in your life that you are afraid to deal with. It can be an escape. Just like taking drugs or turning to alcohol, people often turn to this as a way to take away the anxiety. It is not so much the act, but what is going on to make a person turn to that instead of dealing with the issues. It can become an obsessive compulsion and be harmful.

Yes, masturbation is a very personal thing. Most won't talk about it. But I do feel that at some level, it may need to be addressed if it is bothering you. It all depends on your beliefs about it. I think when we open up a topic like this, others who are concerned about this are able to see that they are not alone.