Gratification Syndrome in a Young Girl: A Diagnostic Dilemma Mimicking Seizure Disorder – A Case Report

Gratification behavior or infantile masturbation is an underrecognized condition in young children that often mimics seizure-like episodes. A case of a young girl brought to the Psychiatry outpatient department of Gauhati Medical College with repetitive abnormal limb movements and behaviors of genital stimulation misinterpreted as seizures is presented here. Patients' symptoms were observed to subside with distraction and were not associated with typical symptoms of seizure, such as altered consciousness, incontinence, or post-ictal confusion. Past history of multiple episodes of seizure generalised tonic clonic seizure following head trauma and treatment with antiepileptics further complicated the clinical picture. Normal Electroencephalogram and absence of neurological findings, along with the disappearance of symptoms following distraction, led to the diagnosis of gratification syndrome. Appropriate psychoeducation, adjustment of the dose of antiepileptics, and therapeutic behavioral strategies led to significant symptom improvement. This case highlights the importance of differentiating gratification behavior from seizure disorders to avoid unnecessary investigations and stigmatization.