Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

how do you treat anxiety/excessive masturbation in children

I  recognize that a 5 year old female child who is excessively masturbating in the classroom and occasionally at home is probably displaying anxiety, however, this behavior seems to be linked to nothing.  She does it when anxious and when calm and happy.  She can be anxious and not do it.  How do you approach treating this.  We have tried behavior mod, telling her to put her hands on the desk when the urge hits, stand up, or go to the teacher's desk and work there, but the distraction only works for a short time. When she returns to her desk, or comfortable place in the house, she picks right up again.  


This discussion is related to mood swings, masterbation in classroom, nightmares, rages, persistant cough.
8 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I would consider getting her assessed for ADHD. I did that all my childhood until I was in 4th grade and continued to excessively masturbate till I was finally diagnosed and treated for my ADHD. Hyperactivity in ADHD can induce hyper sexuality and excessive masturbation or sexual behavior as a subconscious way to calm down a hyperactive nervous system/mind. It was the only way I could study. Helped me focus.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am wondering, since this post was from 2008, how things turned out for you and your daughter? My 6 year old went through this, too, from about age 2.5 until the begining of this year (she is now 6).

We had the school contacting us very concerned about it, saying she would just zone out and doing it right in the middle of the class while the teacher was trying to teach.

We tried talking to her, telling her its ok to do that, but she needs to only do it in private, alone in her bedroom and definitely not at school. We tried to get her to open up and talk about her feelings to see if something emotional was going on. Anyhow, it eventually stopped.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I would take her in to the doctors and have her examined. Since your daughter will only experiement with females, try and get her in with a female doctor.  That way your daughter feels a little comfortable.  Maybe by some chance your daughter is having feelings females and this is her way of dealing with it.  This is just a suggestion, I'm just throwing ideas out there. . . .
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have a 10 year old step daughter and she does this in class,and i been reading a lot of stuff and thinking it is because she has no friends that she just dont think to high of her self and im at the end and need help because i have 3 kids and she has done acted on my baby.she dont do this with boys only girls.but her mom thinks nothing of it but i think something is really wrong any advice
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Do you know if she has been sexualy abused?
As someone who was as a child myself, some of what you described sounds familiar.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Consider counseling to help her deal with her anxiety
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
otherwise developmentally typical, however, she struggles with toileting.  Particularly re: moving her bowels.   She seems to hold back, although she is happy and proud of herself when she does go.  She also wets the bed at night, but I believe this is due to fears at night and refusal to get out of bed and physically get to the bathroom. She is waking and aware of the need to go.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It is unusual for a 5 year old girl to continue this behavior in class in spite of teacher admonition to desist. Have you had her evaluated to understand the origins and persistence of this behavior. Anxiety is only only possible source. I would think this is not an isolated behavioral problem. How is this girl functioning across all developmental domains?
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Child Behavior Community

Top Children's Health Answerers
189897 tn?1441126518
San Pedro, CA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Fearing autism, many parents aren't vaccinating their kids. Can doctors reverse this dangerous trend?
Is a gluten-free diet right for you?
We answer your top questions about the flu vaccine.
Learn which over-the-counter medicines are safe for you and your baby
Yummy eats that will keep your child healthy and happy
Healing home remedies for common ailments