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Suggest Treatment For Gratification Disorder In A Child

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Posted on Fri, 23 Oct 2015
Question: hello my son got diagnose with self gratisfaction disorder and it is getting worse and dont seem to get any help on what to do to help him no tests or nothing been checked just doc looked at him and said thats what it was makes me feel useless that i cant help my boy who doesnt like what hes doing
doctor
Answered by Dr. Archana Verma (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Ignore it

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to the HCM

I completely understand your concerns but don't worry. It's a normal behavior in children and he will most likely outgrow it. Its found in 90% males and 50 % females as per a study. The onset is often in kids less than 3 years of age and gradually improve. Second peak occurs in adolescents.

Its exact mechanism is poorly understood, but has been associated with self-tension, boredom, excitement, genital infection, and lack of stimulation.

Its a clinical diagnosis and doesn't need any lab tests. Video recording is a good tool for diagnosis.

Punishing and scolding the child could result in positive reinforcement of such behavior and low self-esteem; rather they should be gently talked to on the need to avoid such behaviors especially in public places, then subsequently even in privacy. Furthermore, attempts could be made to engage the child in other play activities which could redirect their attention from masturbatory activities. Hopefully this will help you. If it doesn't improve, then visit a child psychotherapist for behavioural therapy.

Hopefully this will help you.

Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Archana Verma (3 hours later)
ok thanks for your response but not really helped me cause i do distract him get him to do another activity but as soon as hes stopped it happens again he can have upto 20 to 30 eppisodes in a couple of hrs and its just disenhearting that i cant help him and he is hurting himself when he falls as he could be on a slide and it happens i know you tried but i just want to help him stop before he goes to school cause people are already staring at him as they think he is fitting
doctor
Answered by Dr. Archana Verma (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Get him checked for pin worm infestation and urinary tract infections

Detailed Answer:
I understand the distress you are going through. I would also recommend you to get him checked for pin worm infestation which may cause severe irritation in some cases. Glass slide microscopic analysis for Enterobius vermicularis may be performed looking for ova and female pinworms. Also, examining him for urinary tract infections and genital fungal infections may be useful.

Hopefully this may be helpful.
Take care
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Archana Verma

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 1129 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Gratification Disorder In A Child

Brief Answer: Ignore it Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome to the HCM I completely understand your concerns but don't worry. It's a normal behavior in children and he will most likely outgrow it. Its found in 90% males and 50 % females as per a study. The onset is often in kids less than 3 years of age and gradually improve. Second peak occurs in adolescents. Its exact mechanism is poorly understood, but has been associated with self-tension, boredom, excitement, genital infection, and lack of stimulation. Its a clinical diagnosis and doesn't need any lab tests. Video recording is a good tool for diagnosis. Punishing and scolding the child could result in positive reinforcement of such behavior and low self-esteem; rather they should be gently talked to on the need to avoid such behaviors especially in public places, then subsequently even in privacy. Furthermore, attempts could be made to engage the child in other play activities which could redirect their attention from masturbatory activities. Hopefully this will help you. If it doesn't improve, then visit a child psychotherapist for behavioural therapy. Hopefully this will help you. Take care