Gratification disorder
| Gratification Disorder | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Infantile masturbation, benign idiopathic infantile dyskinesia, infantile gratification |
| Specialty | Pediatric psychiatry, pediatric neurology, child sexuality |
| Symptoms | Vocalizations with quiet grunting, flushing of the face, sweating, crossing or flexing legs |
| Duration | Variable |
| Causes | No known causes |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms, presence of consciousness, and stopping upon distraction |
Gratification disorder is an often misdiagnosed form of masturbatory behavior, or the behavior of stimulating of one's own genitals, seen predominantly in infants and toddlers. Most pediatricians agree that masturbation is both normal and common behavior in children at some point in their childhood. The behavior is labeled a disorder when the child forms a habit, and misdiagnoses of the behavior can lead to unnecessary and invasive testing for other severe health conditions, including multiple neurological or motor disorders.