Gratification disorder

Gratification disorder (also known as "infantile masturbation", despite occurring in children as old as 10, or sometimes benign idiopathic infantile dyskinesia) is a form of masturbatory behavior that has often been mistaken for epilepsy, abdominal pain, and paroxysmal dystonia or dyskinesia.^[1] Little research has been published regarding this early childhood condition. However, most pediatricians agree that masturbation is a normal and common behaviour in young children and should be recognized as such.^[2] Failure to recognize this behavior can lead to unnecessary and invasive testing.

Miscellaneous

• The disorder was featured in part two of the episode Euphoria of the TV series medical drama House, in which the main protagonist, Dr. House, M.D., diagnoses the symptoms in a fidgety preschool girl.

References

1. Nechay A, Ross LM, Stephenson JB, O'Regan M (March 2004). "Gratification disorder ("infantile masturbation"): a review". Arch. Dis. Child. 89 (3): 225–6. doi:10.1136/adc.2003.032102. PMC 1719833. PMID 14977696.
2. Mink JW, Neil JJ (July 1995). "Masturbation mimicking paroxysmal dystonia or dyskinesia in a young girl". Mov. Disord. Thus, the use of the word "disorder" is somewhat inappropriate, as an inability to experience sexual gratification would constitute sexual aversion disorder. 10 (4): 518–20. doi:10.1002/mds.870100421. PMID 7565838.