Ask Your Question today
First off I'm a male. I was seeing a psychologist a while ago and he asked me if I masturbate. I was a little shocked by this and I lied to him and said I don't masturbate. Why would he ask this? Is it normal for a psychologist to ask this?
I don't think it was solely to find out if you are "being honest", during a session. It could be a multitude of things (based on his assessments of you thus far) and regard what you discuss, which only you two really know.
@Jwee
I know many, but have also studied to become one.
You can determine a lot, based on masturbatory habits; self-esteem, depression, guilt/shame, anxiety, interaction in romantic relationships, "addictive personality" traits.. The list goes on.
Pertaining to each patient, it varies and depends on what exactly you want to know and "conclude on". You can find a multitude of cause/determinating factors, looking into personal/private habits.
Yeah. He just wanted to see how you’d answer. Then he knows that you’re not being to ally truthful with him. It’s like Groucho Marx asking who’s buried in Grant’s tomb.
Most people masturbate. For many who don't, they can be tense and find it difficult to relax in any setting, because they extend their reservedness and discipline to other areas of their lives. Also, whether we talk about it openly or not, sex and sexuality are universal and constant influences on our relationships with ourselves and others.
I think it's a perfectly normal question for a psychologist to ask, as it tells them a lot about you.
It's not a moral question, so I agree with the idea that you should really be honest with your shrink - otherwise they can't help the real you, only misdiagnose a false one :-)
Good luck with it all.
O_o I guess he wanted to know of your sexual health/habits. Maybe, he was trying to determine your "normality". It's an odd question. I can see why you are weirded out. I could understand the question better if you were seeing a sex therapist, a regular doctor, or if the subject of sex had already been brought up. I think my previous therapist asked me this once and it was horribly awkward. I was made even more uncomfortable when the subject of fetishes would get brought up and she would always act like she was getting aroused... If he does that, you should probably go look for a new therapist. If you decide to see him again, you should definitely ask him why. Or, if it makes you feel better you could call him up and ask him.