Frotteurism
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Frotteuristic disorder, or frotteurism, is a rare and poorly researched type of paraphilia. People with this disorder get sexual pleasure from touching, groping, or rubbing their genitals against a person who has not consented.[1] The victim is usually a stranger, and frotteurs often commit their acts in public situations, especially in places where the victim cannot easily react (like on a crowded train car or at a concert).[2]
Etiology
[change | change source]The exact cause of frotteuristic disorder is not known. However, many theories exist.
Psychoanalysts propose that individuals with frotteurism may have unmet needs to cuddle, like an infant does with his mother. They might fantasize that they share an exclusive and caring relationship with their non-consenting victims during the act.
Kurt Freund suggests that people with frotteurism have problems with the tactile interactions they might experience during normal human erotic or sexual interactions.[3]
Some research has suggested that a biological cause, especially in the monoamine pathway, could result in abnormal sexual behavior.[4]
Prevalence and effects
[change | change source]It is difficult to study and measure frotteurism for several reasons. First, people with the disorder rarely seek mental health treatment for themselves.[4][2] Second, when frotteurism is committed in crowded public spaces, it can be difficult to identify and apprehend the frotteur.[2]
For these reasons, we do not know the prevalence of frotteuristic disorder. However, individual acts of frotteurism (like touching, groping, and rubbing) may occur in up to 30% of men in the general population.[5]
Merck Manuals notes: "Many women throughout the world report being victims of frotteurs. For example, in a study of young female passengers (in their twenties or thirties) on public trains in Tokyo, over 66% reported that they had been subject to acts of frotteurism[.]"[2]
Treatment
[change | change source]A multi-pronged approach to treatment is recommended, combining therapy, support, and (potentially) medication.[4]
Psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, psychoanalysis, relaxation therapy, and biofeedback have all shown some success in treating frotteuristic disorder. Medications that reduce or suppress sex drive may be used in severe cases.[4]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ McAnulty, Richard (November 2016), "Frotteurism", Unusual and Rare Psychological Disorders, Oxford University Press, pp. 136–148, doi:10.1093/med:psych/9780190245863.003.0010, ISBN 978-0-19-024586-3, retrieved 2024-09-23
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Frotteuristic Disorder - Frotteuristic Disorder". Merck Manual Professional Edition. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ↑ D. Richard Laws and William T. Donoghue (1997). Sexual deviance: Theory, assessment and treatment. Guilford. pp. 111–130.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Bhatia, Kamal; Parekh, Utsav (2024), "Frotteurism", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID 33085407, retrieved 2024-09-23
- ↑ American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition: Frotteuristic Disorder 302.89 (F65.81). American Psychiatric Publishing. pp. 691–694.