Have you ever been attracted to something unusually? Okay, lets put it this way – have you got obsessive about bags, high heels or a particular shade of lipstick – like crimson red? Have you developed a tendency to stay close to the objects of your desire even if your obsession starts looking odd? This is what fetishism is all about and it is very normal. You are not alone, neither are you sick. You are just one of the many millions on the earth.
It is gender neutral – men and women both signs of fetishism.
The term fetishism means the behaviour in which someone shows a sexual or asexual interest in an object, or in a part of the body other than the sexual organs. There is a reason to worry if that interest crosses boundaries and one starts acting in a way that may looks offensive – like going mad over undergarments, secretly admiring a women’s high heels in an official meeting or fantasising about situations and sexual encounters at the very sight of an object that triggers sexual desires.
It starts early and should be contained early
Most of the time, fetishism start early in life, very likely at the beginning of adolescence. Some scientists believe it occurs later in childhood and adolescence conditions associated with masturbation and puberty. Others learning states that it develops from early childhood experience. There is a need to spread awareness about it and make the youngsters aware of the harms related to fetishism if it crosses boundaries.
You are not alone – celebrities too have fetishism
Take comfort from the fact that you are not the only one with a fetish for something or the other. There are many celebrities too who have openly confessed their fetishism for things ranging from food to fur. Take a look –
- Jennifer Lawrence – Sponges
- Enrique Iglesias – A girl’s feet
- Christina Anguilera – Leather
Is it s disorder?
A little bit of fetishism is okay and should not ring alarm bells but one should immediately seek counselling if it starts touching the boundaries of obsession. In that case, it should be treated as a disorder as they cause distress in a person’s ability to function normally in life. Patients can also go for counselling that helps to reduce the compulsive thinking associated with fetishism.
Although there is no particular treatment, there are different kinds of therapies, including medication therapy such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) or androgen deprivation therapy.