Fetishistic Disorder

Fetishistic disorder is a paraphilic disorder characterized by recurrent sexual arousal involving nonliving objects or specific non-genital body parts, causing distress or functional impairment. Etiology involves neurodevelopmental, psychological, and behavioral conditioning factors. Clinically, patients report intense fantasies, urges, or behaviors focused on the object of arousal, often leading to social or occupational dysfunction. Diagnosis requires evaluation of distress, functional impact, and exclusion of culturally normative sexual behavior. Management includes psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral approaches, and pharmacologic agents targeting compulsive sexual behaviors when indicated. Prognosis depends on treatment adherence and motivation for behavioral modification.