Hey,
I have been reading some of the threads here and one of them is the thread about "how do you masturbate". My first reaction is that I must be ultra conservative because nobody seems ashamed of their sexuality. And the other part of me thinks that is awesome, and I wish I wasn't ashamed of my sexuality.

I'm a male, been at this mental illness game for a long time. I was brought up very strict and conservative, to the point where I almost can't imagine sex as a pure desire. And yet I know better, because deep down I believe it can be. The irony is that sex is about my favorite activity, and I love sex with a willing woman and masturbation also. Just writing these things makes me blush.

Sometimes I wonder if I was abused sexually as a youngster. I don't really know, I can't remember anything like that. Maybe it's just from growing up with such a strict value system.

Does anyone have any advice for me, why I might have so much shame associated with sexual activity?