Masturbation training 4 people w/ mental problems?

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I was reading an article by Frederick Kaeser that discusses the problems that some people with mental retardation have in achieving a successful orgasm and how this often goes ignored due to the lack of help offered to them or interest expressed in the matter of helping such individuals with this particular issue.Anyway.. I was left wondering if there's actually any agencies or institutions that offer such programs or professional help for people that simply can't get around masturbating to the point of orgasm? Basically -people who can't achieve this through your typical masturbation training that is very commonly used?Article: http://www.springerlink.com/content/63m4545275174865/

Any mod, feel free to remove this topic...

No need to remove it. I just think no-one feels competent to answer.

I just don't see the value in doing masturbation training with the MR population. I actually have a pretty hefty ethical red flag that goes up when I read this. Masturbation is not a necessity that needs to be taught. Even having an orgasm isn't a necessity. I think if the person is, because of his or her low intellectual functioning, having some pretty inappropriate responses to their sexual arousal, then that should be dealt with. But not what this article seems to be suggesting.I guess I'm just trying to figure out how this "masturbation training" is done. I have a few clients who are MMR. If I needed to, I could actually have a conversation with them about sexuality and even masturbation, if such a conversation was called for. I might talk to them about masturbation, normalize it for them, and even encourage it over other forms of sexual release that might be inappropriate for them, but I can't for the life of me see any need to "train" them in the matter. And even more so for actual MR clients. That's just unethical I think.

Well, I'm 25, healthy and I have never even masturbated, have never felt the need to. Have tried several techniques with no success. It causes no pleasure whatsoever to play with my genitals. It's something on my mind according to a urologist I once went to since I'm in top condition. Since this has been something which my body doesn't seem to need, I don't usually try too hard. I have wet dreams once every few months, sometimes it's been year and I don't get one. Porn doesn't seem very intriguing to me either. -I'm aware masturbation is not compulsory, though I'm certain it would be a nice add-on to anyone's life. Eventually, being able to have a family. I'll be able to keep living normally but I'll always wonder about this -why I never seemed to need it and how I wasn't able to find answers as to why I wouldn't.I asked a similar question here a few years ago and I'm still wondering about this sometimes. Thanks Ineligible for your support both times...

I kinda envy you.As far as your case, I think the first thing you have to do is determine whether or not this is a problem. Your post wasn't really clear on that. (Although I can imagine it could be more complicated than "problem or not a problem") If it is a problem, you might want to find a therapist who can help you with it, since it seems to be a psychological thing more than a physical thing. He could possibly help you discover what meaning you are assigning to masturbation, where that comes from, and how it effects what you are not able to do. Of course, if you decide it isn't a problem, then...problem solved!

How is it unethical to teach about sexuality?

To me it sounds as if you are just a prude and not actually thinking about ethics here. If you "trained" a person about their sexuality, you are just teaching them a function of the body. Masturbation is natural. If someone has a abnormal disorder that effects what "normal" is for them, it doesn't make the act of it abnormal, it makes their pre-disposition abnormal.

First you would have to decipher the learning ability of this person; CAN they be taught how to masturbate, and SHOULD they be taught to. The can is answered probably fairly easily, you have to assess their ability to learn.

The should depends on their ability for self control, are they able to know when this action is appropriate, and are they able to integrate it appropriately into their lives?

If the answer is yes, then the teaching method is next. That's just trial and error. Are they intelligent enough to have a demonstration be enough to teach them, and then if not will an ACTUAL demonstration teach them about it.

The real ethical question comes into play when you have to decide if it's ethical or not for them to be touched in order to show them.

Oh and indifferent, what you are describing is definitely a psychological issue, unless you were born with brain damage. It's called Asexuality, I'm sure you have heard the term. Usually there are underlying causes whether they be conscious or not. I'd see a psychologist, they are usually better with these types of issues. Therapists may be cheaper but they don't have anywhere near the same education.

Are you serious?Where in our society is it taught HOW to masturbate (at least ina professional setting)? And now add to the equation some form of mental issues. Get real.

Originally Posted By: TechnicalHow is it unethical to teach about sexuality?To me it sounds as if you are just a prude and not actually thinking about ethics here.Seriously?!? You are way off base, bubba.First of all, I (unlike you) am speaking from a professional standpoint. I know these clients. I know their issues. I know the ethics. You're going to have to come up with some decent reasons for this attack before I will even start to answer your objections.Going into an office and showing a person with mental retardation how to masturbate. Yeah...that won't get me fired...You're clueless, my friend.

Wow what a head scratcher. My initial reaction was thinking that this was kind of a creepy suggestion. I began thinking of all the negative connotations placed on masturbation, the mentalist ill, and the how the ring-winged would have a field day with this if it were ever to come to pass. Then I asked, well who's responsibility is it to teach the mentally ill about sexuality and more importantly there own self inflicted sexuality. Media constantly berates us with images of the mentally ill having no control over there habits in movies and television, making sexuality in the mentally ill almost as a secondary handicap. However masturbation has been proven to realize stress and improve focus. Those with active and healthy sexual lifestyles live longer and happier. Masturbation could be used a therapeutic tool to assist those with disabilities. But who's responsibility is it to teach them? Well that is tricky.There simply is just too much liability. Unfortunately with as many scientific positives that may exist, no one will, or at least no one should cross that bridge. We live in a country were prostitution is illegal, homosexuality is still struggling to be accepted, were sexuality albeit always in out faces in the media, is still taboo. Our culture, is way too sensitive to even approach the topic. Also if the person truly cannot grasp the concepts of the skills they are learning, where would this border on sexual assault. To be persuaded and guided to do something sexual to your own body. There are simply to many questions with our societies ethics for this to ever be a viable option. Even within a private family structure, this to me just doesn't seem like a great idea due to the liability and legalities involved. Even those whom do not have a mental retardation, courses in masturbation and orgasm achievable lead themselves to more scrutiny than its worth. To put it simply, thats what the internet is for.

Thanks for the replies guys.. It's always good to hear different opinions. I actually do not approve of physical aid when helping someone discover masturbation, rather just a supervised training and based on observations, proceed and instruct accordingly -should it be necessary. Of course, an evaluation should be considered before they come to the assumption that this particular addition to their tormented life will actually help the individual one way or the other. -I'm not this crazy myself yet but I was curious as to whether this existed or not and if I could have possibly taken advantage of it(and no, not quite).

Originally Posted By: Technical

Oh and indifferent, what you are describing is definitely a psychological issue, unless you were born with brain damage. It's called Asexuality, I'm sure you have heard the term. Usually there are underlying causes whether they be conscious or not. I'd see a psychologist, they are usually better with these types of issues. Therapists may be cheaper but they don't have anywhere near the same education.

Thanks for mentioning this as I had not heard of the term actually. It helped me find a asexual community which might help me find out whether it's just that I am asexual and not a total different issue which might be affecting this side of me. I personally do not believe it's just that I'm asexual, I not only have a total lack of interest for sex, but many other things that often drive your average human to look forward to. I might consider a psychologist someday -yet atm I'm not confident they will help me solve anything other than waste my money.

Can you say what other things there are that you have no interest in?

Originally Posted By: IneligibleCan you say what other things there are that you have no interest in? Well.. basically anything that involves myself (selfishness -love towards me/others, money, power, etc) I will not likely go the extra mile for, and maybe not for you-either (although more likely). -I have tons to add to these but I won't go into much details. I'll probably write a book some day though. xD

Perhaps your brain doesn't have a strong self-reward system? It is normally based on dopamine.

Well.. it would probably take a very long time for a psychologist to give me something i can work with that will actually be helpful but i might try to give one a chance someday and try to expose as much as i know about me as possible. but in all honesty, i hope my current situation is something that has been around and can be dealt with(preferably if it can be helped thru medication).. anyway would you suggest a certain area(s) of expertise that i should focus on when looking for one (a psychologist -or perhaps even a psychiatrist) -if i ever do go on such quest?edit: i have tried stuff like viagra a few times - they have 0 effect.. my brain is somehow blocking all this even though im very healthy.

I'm not sure what to advise. I think this is a stronger sort of anhedonia than usual and might want a researcher rather than an ordinary clinician.

Have you had your testosterone levels checked?

I believe so. I went to my local doctor, and then I explained the situation, he suggested I'd go see a urologist,i did and he ran some tests too and even gave me a device to attach to my penis at night for a few days, all tests he took were fine. I'm more likely to do more unaware than aware, yet my awareness is so strong it's affecting my unawareness, I used to have wet dreams once in a while (or get erections when watching certain explicit stuff) now not quite, also semen when waking up used to happen at least once a month before, now it could be 5-6 before even that happens, i sort of remember in my sleep, i can't do this or that, etc. It seems it's kind of gotten worse the more i've become aware of myself. i'm very shy and extroverted too, i feel like i am a nuisance to people at times so that might not help either. i might eventually just accept me as what i am, with my randomness, unsualness, complex thinking, mood swings, etc.. after all there r things that help me kill time.. movies, music, games, etc.. sometimes it saddens me when i see people i'd like to be with though..like i had dreams of owning a home, having wife, kids, etc. but w/e there's the games, movies, etc as i mentioned.