Exhibitionistic Disorder

Abstract

There have been numerous attempts to define exhibitionism. The element of sexual relevance and direct or indirect sexual gratification for the exhibitionist are usually, though not always, indicated or implied. Definitions differ on whether erection must be present. Though exhibitionism/exhibitionistic disorder is, as most paraphilias/ paraphilic disorders are, infrequent among females, the modern era diagnostic criteria are gender-neutral and use the general term of exposing one's genitalia to an unsuspecting subject. Thus psychiatry, sexology, and sexual medicine conceptualize exhibitionism (and exhibitionistic disorder) in terms of what DSM-5 describes as "recurrent and intense sexual fantasies from the exposure of one's genitals to an unsuspecting person, as manifested by fantasies, urges, or behaviors." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)