[Strangeperson]

I can't seem to find anyone else with this condition so curious about it.

I have anxiety issues, and when I get extreme anxiety it gives me an urge to masturbate, however there is no sexual thoughts or sex involved, I will sit there and be reading stock message boards about how poorly my stock is doing while masturbating, thinking how screwed I i'm. I do climax in this situation. The more nervous I am the quicker it is.

If I'm unable to do that I have a huge desire to chew on any type of food, apples carrots, uncooked sweet potatoes anything that is crunchy and hard and has flavor(gum doesn't work). It's gotten to the point where when I try to read long passages in boring books the urge to either chew or masturbate overcomes me and I can't concentrate. (If I do chew or masturbate I'm able to continue reading the book)

[Travelinglady]

Hello, Strangeperson, and welcome to Psych Central! I know some people handle anxiety by trying to distract themselves with sex. Or with eating....

How about going to a regular doctor and tell him/her what is happening? Maybe you can get some medicine or be sent to a therapist.

And how about posting in the Anxiety forum here? Maybe folks there will have some suggestions for other ways to deal with your anxiety--or at least understand your behavior. Okay?

[Myotherlife]

Lesson No. 1: Masturbation is normal.

Lesson No. 2: Everyone does something to make them feel better when they are stressed, or depressed, or bored, or...

Ergo, masturbation is normal in the circumstances you describe. Is anyone hurt by your masturbation? Or eating crunchy food? Not likely. Do you enjoy both? Probably, assuming you can accept yourself and the ways you deal with stress.

My psychologist told me this when I told her that I couldn't understand why I return to my fetishes again and again: "Fetishes are self-reinforcing because nothing you can do feels any better. So you go back to them. Similarly, masturbation is a powerful way to release tensions.

A good, lifelong, unmarried friend once was having a meal in a nice restaurant with me and my wife. He was a well-known professional scientist in his field, had travelled widely, and had a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. But he was single, and always had been. At one point he mentioned that a lot of people thought he was homosexual. "But I'm not," he said. I asked him how he managed his sexual needs. He said, within hearing distance of nearby diners, "I masturbate a lot!" End of story. Do what you need to do. Don't worry about what society says. Society is a fool.

Other