Fetishism
is the use of an inanimate object or a specific part of the body
for physical or mental sexual stimulation. This sexual behavior
is widespread and takes many forms, from benign (a preference
for the partner's wearing of lingerie before sex) to vicious (a
rapist cutting a lock of hair from the victim for use in masturbation).
The disorder characteristics are:
Repeatedly for at least 6 months the patient has intense sexual
desires, fantasies or behavior concerning the use of inanimate
objects (such as shoes, underwear).
This results in clinically important distress or impairs work,
social or personal functioning.
The objects are not used solely in cross-dressing (female clothing
in Transvestic Fetishism) and are not equipment intended to stimulate
the genitals (such as a vibrator).
Associated
Features:
May be employed
or undertake volunteer work to enable behavior to be practiced.
For example take a job in a shoe shop in the case of a shoe
fetish.
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.
Dementia.
Cause:
The cause
of fetishistic behavior as a pattern of sexual gratification cannot
usually be explained easily. It is only when these patterns
become part of a larger picture, at least in the far more common
cases involving a male, such a picture involves typically involves
doubts about ones own masculinity and potency and a fear of rejection
and humiliation. By his fetishistic practices and the mastery
over an inanimate object, which comes to symbolize for him the
desired sexual object, the individual apparently safeguards
himself and also compensates some what his feelings of inadequacy.
Treatment:
Almost
always the treatment must be long-term if it is to be effective.
Counseling and Psychotherapy [ See
Therapy Section & Sex
Therapy ]:
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.
