Teen with Sexual Concerns

Reader’s Question

I am 17 years old and I have a problem with myself. Thoughts related to sex come to my mind very frequently. Whenever I am alone I lock my room and strip off my clothes and do some weird acts. Then after that I realise what I am doing, quickly put my clothes back on, and feel regretful, worried and guilty. I fail to control myself, and I am really fearful that I may commit some offensive act in the future.

Our Consulting Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

Your experience is not uncommon. Everyone on the planet must recognize their sexuality, try to understand it, and make decisions about how their sexuality fits into their life and behavior. At your age sexual exploration, curosity, arousal and other sexual concerns are common.

Your behavior is common in adolescence and is not related to those people who commit offensive acts in the future. It is not an early indicator of being a sexual offender or predator.

I would suggest speaking to a trusted adult male, perhaps a spiritual leader in your community. Each culture has views about sexuality and your body is telling you that it’s time to discuss those views and boundaries with a trusted adult.