Causes and risk factors
The exact cause is not known. It is a kind of mental disorder and kind of sexual fantasy. High sexual drive leads to such mental disorder; increased susceptibility among males due to the hormone, testosterone, which influences the sexual drive. History of emotional abuse in childhood and family dysfunction increases the risk of development of fetishism. It is classified as a type of paraphilia.
Clinical presentation
Patient has recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving the use of nonliving objects for at least 6 months. Any non-living object or situation can act as a fetish, e.g., underwear, socks, etc. A fetish can be harmless in a situation where it is a normal variation of human sexuality, for example, becoming sexually aroused on seeing the partner wear high-heeled sandals. It can also be severe enough to qualify as a sexual deviation/perversion. E.g., becoming sexually aroused on seeing any woman with underarm sweat. There may be abnormal sexual secretion. These sexual behaviors cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social or occupational functioning. There may be 2 types – form fetish – fantasy for shape of object or media fetish – fantasy for material or an object.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and clinical examination by the psychiatrist or psychologist helps in diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment involves psychotherapy. It involves behavioral technique, cognitive behavioral techniques, and psychoanalytical techniques. Medications such as antidepressants or antipsychotic drugs will also help in managing fetishism. Spiritual and religious approaches are also effective in treatment. If frontline treatment fails, doctor may prescribe medicine called as antiandrogens.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating fetishism. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly, the Ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates is also found to be effective in treating fetishism.
