Exhibitionism
Updated:Exhibitionism is a sexual interest or behavior characterized by deriving sexual pleasure and arousal from exposing one's genitals or performing sexual acts in view of other people, typically strangers caught off guard by the act. It becomes a paraphilic disorder when the urges and behavior cause significant distress, impairment, or harm to oneself or non-consenting others.
Additional Information
Exhibitionistic disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis in the DSM-5. It's characterized by intense, sexually arousing fantasies, urges or behaviors involving exposure of one's genitals to unsuspecting people, usually strangers, on multiple occasions over a period of at least 6 months. The individual must have acted on these urges with a nonconsenting person, or the fantasies/urges must cause significant distress or impairment. Exhibitionism as a paraphilic disorder is different from more common behaviors like flashing or streaking done as pranks without sexual motivations. Treatment may involve psychotherapy, medication, or a combination approach.
Examples
A man who frequently exposes his genitals to strangers in the park and becomes sexually aroused by their shocked reactions.
A woman who has intense, recurrent fantasies about revealing her genitals to people in public places, causing her distress and anxiety.