Fetish

Fetishism or Fetish is a type of paraphilia, a psychiatric disorder characterized by intense sexual urges and sexually arousing fantasies, behaviors, or both, that involve inanimate objects. The term fetishism was first introduced by Alfred Binet, a French psychologist in the 19th century.

Definition

A fetish is a sexual fixation on a nonliving object or nongenital body part. The object of interest is called the fetish, the person a fetishist. The fetish can be tangible such as underwear, or intangible, such as situations or scenarios.

Types of Fetishism

Fetishism can be categorized into two types: Anatomic fetishism and Media fetishism. Anatomic fetishism is a fetish where the fetishist is attracted to a specific body part such as feet (Foot fetishism), whereas Media fetishism is a fetish for materials such as leather or latex.

Causes

The exact cause of fetishism is not known. However, it is believed to be caused by early childhood experiences where an object was associated with a particularly powerful form of sexual arousal or gratification.

Treatment

Treatment for fetishism is generally only necessary if the fetish is causing distress to the individual or if it is harmful in any way. Treatment options include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication.

See Also

• Paraphilia
• Sexual fetishism
• Foot fetishism
• Leather fetishism
• Latex and PVC fetishism

References

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