Exhibitionistic Disorder

(See also Overview of Paraphilic Disorders Overview of Paraphilic Disorders Paraphilic disorders are recurrent, intense, sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviors that are distressing or disabling and that involve inanimate objects, children or nonconsenting... read more .)

Exhibitionism is a form of paraphilia, but most people who have exhibitionism do not meet the clinical criteria for a paraphilic disorder, which require that a person's behavior, fantasies, or intense urges result in clinically significant distress or impaired functioning or cause harm to others (which in exhibitionism includes acting on the urges with a nonconsenting person). The condition must also have been present for ≥ 6 months.

Estimated prevalence in men is not more than 2 to 4%; it is lower in women. Few females are diagnosed with exhibitionistic disorder; society sanctions some exhibitionistic behaviors in females (through media and entertainment venues).

Exhibitionists (usually male) may masturbate while exposing or fantasizing about exposing themselves to others. They may be aware of their need to surprise, shock, or impress the unwilling observer. The victim is almost always a female adult or a child of either sex. Actual sexual contact is rarely sought, and physical harm to the unsuspecting witness is unusual.

Onset is usually during adolescence; occasionally, the first act occurs during preadolescence or middle age.

About 30% of apprehended male sex offenders are exhibitionists. They have the highest recidivism rate of all sex offenders; about 20 to 50% are re-arrested. Although it is reported to occur, the vast majority of those with exhibitionism do not engage in physically aggressive sexual behaviors.

Most exhibitionists are married, but the marriage is often troubled by poor social and sexual adjustment, including frequent sexual dysfunction (see Male Sexual Function Overview of Male Sexual Function There are 4 main components of male sexual function: Libido Erection Ejaculation Orgasm read more and Sexual Dysfunction in Women Overview of Female Sexual Function and Dysfunction Men and women initiate or agree to sexual activity for many reasons, including sharing sexual excitement and physical pleasure and experiencing affection, love, romance, or intimacy. However... read more ).

Exhibitionists may also have a personality disorder Overview of Personality Disorders Personality disorders in general are pervasive, enduring patterns of thinking, perceiving, reacting, and relating that cause significant distress or functional impairment. Personality disorders... read more (usually antisocial) or conduct disorder Conduct Disorder Conduct disorder is a recurrent or persistent pattern of behavior that violates the rights of others or violates major age-appropriate societal norms or rules. Diagnosis is by history. Treatment... read more .

For some people, exhibitionism is expressed as a strong desire to have other people watch their sexual acts. What appeals to such people is not the act of surprising an audience but rather of being seen by a consenting audience. People with this form of exhibitionism may make pornographic films or become adult entertainers. They are rarely troubled by this desire and thus may not have a psychiatric disorder.