Neurotic masturbation and infantile depression: clinico-therapeutic approach and possible neuro-psychological explanation
Cocchi, R.; Ghiglione Rocca, R.
Acta Neurologica 32(2): 229-241
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-6276 PMID: 22220 Document Number: 119771
Habitual infantile masturbation (neurotic masturbation) probably represents a symptom of vital compensation to childhood depression. In all 10 children studied the symptom disappeared, or was highly diminished, after antidepressive-anxiolytic therapy with l-glutamine (125-250 mg/day) and diazepam (2-4 mg/day). In 2 subjects with sleeping problems, clothiapine (3.3 mg/day) was added. The mechanism of compensation was through temporary adrenergic substitution, switched on by the child's orgasm, of the noradrenergic component involved. This event could also explain the necessity of repeating such behavior.