Transvestic fetishism is a psychiatric diagnosis applied to men who are thought to have an excessive sexual or erotic interest in cross-dressing; this interest is often expressed in autoerotic behavior. It differs from cross-dressing for entertainment or other purposes that do not involve sexual arousal. Under the name transvestic disorder, it is categorized as a paraphilia in the DSM-5.[1]
Transvestic fetishism | |
---|---|
Specialty | Psychiatry |
Symptoms | Excessive sexual or erotic interest in cross-dressing |
The DSM-5 states that late-onset gender dysphoria in adolescent and adult males is preceded by "transvestic behavior with sexual excitement" in many cases.[2]
According to DSM-IV, this fetishism was limited to heterosexual men; however, the DSM-5 does not have this restriction, and opens it to women and men with this interest, regardless of their sexual orientation.[3] It is, however, usually documented in males.[4]
There are two key criteria before a psychiatric diagnosis of "transvestic fetishism" is made:[5]