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.
