Frotteurism Disorder

Frotteurism Overview, Cause, Symptoms, Treatment, Medication

Frotteurism is obtaining sexual arousal and gratification by rubbing one's genitals against others in public places or crowds.

Men have a paraphilia called Frotteurism when the focus of their sexual urges are related to the touching or rubbing of their body against a non-consenting, unfamiliar woman. Usually the male rubs his genital area against the female. Most commonly, the man chooses to attack in a crowded public location and then he disappears into the throng of people. Frotteurism usually begins in adolescence and the abnormal behavior tends to decrease when the man reaches his late twenties.

As with most paraphilias, frotteurism is usually concurrent with other paraphilias and, in this case, other courtship disorders.

Like most disorders in this category, many theories exist in an attempt to explain how this disorder develops. Most experts agree that there are underlying issues related to childhood which play a major role in the etiology.

Diagnostic criteria for Frotteurism

• Over a period of at least 6 months, patients have recurrent, intense, sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving rubbing against and touching a nonconsenting person.
• The fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
• Patients typically practice this behavior in crowded places (not a DSM-IV criterion).

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

Treatment of Frotteurism

Treatment options would be similar as for other paraphilias and include both cognitive behavioural therapy psychopharmacological options.

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hi. my sisters husbund touhches me whenever he finds me lonely..I think he is parafiliaa. what should I do for this..should I tell my sister? -- safiye

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