Involves intense,
recurrent and sexually arousing fantasies involving the exposure
of the individual's genitals. This may, in turn, translate into
putting this fantasy into action and engaging in these behaviors.
However, a key feature of this need is that the individual be
a stranger or unsuspecting. Disorder features are:
Repeatedly for at least 6 months the patient has intense sexual
desires, fantasies or behavior concerning genital self-exposure
to an unsuspecting stranger.
This causes clinically important distress or impairs work, social
or personal functioning.
Associated
Features:
Personal
Immaturity.
Stress.
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
Senile Brain Dementia
Antisocial
Personality Disorder
Schizophrenia
Cause:
Many mild
and considered acceptable forms of exhibitionism are considered
normal in our culture. Children often have a natural curiosity
about their genitals and the genitals of others. Young children
may like to try to shock adults or other children by showing their
genitals or underwear. This is typically a passing phase and only
calls for professional treatment if it persists. Similarly, adolescents
have been expressing disapproval through "mooning" for
years. Wearing suggestive clothing or strip teasing for a significant
other are common activities.
Treatment:
Almost
always the treatment must be long-term if it is to be effective.
Most exhibitionists
do not receive treatment until they are caught by the police and
the court orders treatment.
Counseling and Psychotherapy [ See
Therapy Section ]:
Cognitive,
behavior, and psychoanalytic therapies are used to treat individuals
with paraphilia's.
Pharmacotherapy
[ See Psychopharmacology
Section ] :
Some
prescription medicines have been used to help decrease the compulsive
thinking associated with the paraphilia's. Hormones are prescribed
occasionally for individuals who experience intrusive sexual thoughts,
urges, or abnormally frequent sexual behaviors.
