A favored article of clothing may become erotic in itself and may be used habitually, first in masturbation and later in intercourse. Some males wear a single item of women's apparel (e.g., underwear or hosiery) under their masculine attire. A paraphilia involves intense and persistent sexual interest (recurrent fantasies, urges or behaviors of a sexual nature) that center around children, non-humans (animals, objects, materials), or harming others or one's self during sexual activity. Transvestic disorder is cross-dressing, or dressing in the clothes of the opposite gender, to become sexually aroused. This disorder may occur with other paraphilias including fetishism and masochism. C. Intense frustration when the cross-dressing is interfered with. What other disorders or conditions often occur with Transvestic Disorder? Transvestic Fetishism is not diagnosed when cross-dressing occurs exclusively during the course of Gender Identity Disorder. A. Recurrent and persistent cross-dressing by a heterosexual male. In Transsexualism there is a persistent wish to be rid of one's own genitals and to live as a member of the other sex, and there is never any sexual excitement with cross-dressing. This should not be diagnosed as Transvestism; the diagnosis of Atypical Gender Identity Disorder should be considered. It must occur over a period of at least 6 months and cause severe distress to the individual in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. However, the act of cross-dressing does not cause sexual arousal. Distinguishing transvestic disorder depends on the individual's specific thoughts during such activity (e.g., are there any ideas of being a woman, being like a woman, or being dressed as a woman?) While cross-dressed, he usually masturbates, imagining himself to be both the male subject and the female object of his sexual fantasy. B. In some individuals, the motivation for cross-dressing may change over time, temporarily or permanently, with sexual arousal in response to the cross-dressing diminishing or disappearing. You can have a paraphilia, but not have a paraphilic disorder. Depressive Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition, https://dsm.wikia.org/wiki/Transvestic_Disorder?oldid=4110. Individuals with transvestic disorder do not report an incongruence between their experienced gender and assigned gender nor a desire to be of the other gender; and they typically do not have a history of childhood cross-gender behaviors, which would be present in individuals with gender dysphoria. The activity may remain the same with no change or increase. Dr. Grohol has a Master's degree and doctorate in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University. The disorder has been found in youngsters when they dress up before reaching adolescence. Under the name transvestic disorder, it is categorized as a paraphilia in the DSM-5. The presence of autogynephilia increases the likelihood of gender dysphoria in men with transvestic disorder. The presence of fetishism decreases the likelihood of gender dysphoria in men with transvestic disorder. The disorder typically begins with cross-dressing in childhood or early adolescence. What are the risk factors for Transvestic Disorder? The individual with Transvestism considers himself to be basically male, whereas the anatomically male Transsexual has a female sexual identity. This may include the use of aversion therapy and different types of imagery/desensitization in which the person imagines themselves in the situation and then experiencing a negative event to reduce future interest in participating in the fetishistic activities. In order to be diagnosed with a Paraphilic Disorder, the paraphilia needs to be causing significant distress or impairment, or involve personal harm or risk of harm to others. Research has found that fewer than 3% of males report having ever seen sexually aroused by dressing in women's clothing. and on the presence of other fetishes (e.g., soft, silky fabrics, whether these are used for garments or for something else). Transvestic disorder is a specific paraphilic disorder in which the individual is sexually aroused by the act of cross-dressing as the opposite gender, and yet finds the act of dressing and the resulting arousal distressing (The American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Copyright © 1995-2020 Psych Central. D. Does not meet the criteria for Transsexualism. Psych Central does not provide medical or psychological Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent and intense sexual arousal from cross-dressing, as manifested by fantasies, urges, or behaviors. You can learn more about Dr. John Grohol here. Medications that target the compulsive urges, antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can also be used in conjunction with therapy. Transvestic disorder is transvestism that causes significant distress or significant functional impairment. Though not necessary, this disorder can occur with fetishism (the person is sexually aroused by materials, garments, or fabrics) or with autogynephilia (the person is sexually aroused by thoughts or images of oneself as a female). This disorder may resemble transvestic disorder, in particular, in men with fetishism who put on women's undergarments while masturbating with them. (In some people, their desires are switched to feelings of security, and, in men, it can result in a want to continue the actions for longer periods.) Transvestic phenomena range from occasional solitary wearing of female clothes to extensive involvement in a transvestic subculture. The first signs of this disorder may appear in childhood and involves general pleasure in dressing in girl's clothing. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be used where the therapist helps the person discover the underlying cause of the behavior and then works with the person to teach skills to manage the sexual urges in more health ways. In many cases, the cross-dressing is not done in public until adulthood. Individuals with Transvestic Fetishism often seek treatment when gender dysphoria emerges. The paraphiliac focus of Transvestic Fetishism involves cross-dressing. The Psychodynamics of Gender and Gender Role. In DSM-IV, this disorder is called Transvestic Fetishism. All rights reserved. A. Fetishism is not diagnosed when sexual arousal by nonhuman objects is limited to articles of female clothing used in cross-dressing. Individuals with a presentation that meets full criteria for transvestic disorder as well as gender dysphoria should be given both diagnoses.