Frotteurism involves
intense, recurrent fantasies of, and/or actual touching and rubbing
the genitalia against a non-consenting person, in association with
sexual arousal. The behavior usually occurs in crowded places, and
the individual usually fantasizes an exclusive, caring relationship
with the victim. However, the person generally tries to escape detection
after touching the victim. By definition, there is significant distress
or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of
functioning. Main disorder characteristics are:
Repeatedly for at least 6 months, the patient has intense sexual desires,
fantasies or behaviors that involve touching and rubbing against a
person who doesn't consent to this behavior.
This causes clinically important distress or impairs work, social
or personal functioning.
Associated
Features:
Most perpetrators
are aged 15-25 years.
Frotteurism has been noted to be equally common among older, shy,
inhibited individuals.
Differential
Diagnosis:
Some disorders have similar or even the same symptoms. The clinician,
therefore, in his/her diagnostic attempt has to differentiate against
the following disorders which need to be ruled out to establish a
precise diagnosis.
Mental
Retardation
Substance Intoxication
Manic Episode
Schizophrenia
Cause:
Most acts of frottage
occur when the person is between 15 to 25 years of age, and declines
thereafter.
Treatment:
The treatment
of paraphilias in general may involve the use of medications and/or
behavioral therapy.
