Exhibitionism

Exhibitionism is also termed as flashing, apodysophilia, etc. Exhibitionists are often termed as flashers, which is slang. A person who likes to show their genital parts, to be precise, exhibiting naked parts to strangers is termed as exhibitionists and this psychological behavior is called Exhibitionism.

Why do people tend to be like this? Let us see some of the causes regarding exhibitionism. Few causes are:

1. Increase in the hormone called testosterone
2. Emotional abuse in infancy
3. Male children abandoned by their mothers
4. Traumatic brain injury
5. Attention-deficit/Hyperactive disorder (ADHD) in childhood

Exhibitionism is considered to be a major offence. In general, it is males who involve in exhibitionism. However, few females also do. People who are in their teens or early twenties generally commit this crime.

It is definitely not possible to diagnose exhibitionism unless the person with such a disorder comes forward to cure it. When such people are caught by the police, they are often taken to the doctors. One of the main reasons of why people with exhibitionism disorder don't want to consult a doctor is because they fear that their employers or family members may become aware of their disorder and may treat them differently.

Few treatments to cure exhibitionism, a mental disorder are as follows:

1. Orgasmic reconditioning
2. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
3. Family therapy for patients who are married
4. Group therapy

There is no need to worry as exhibitionism is curable. It can be cured with medicines and in rare occasions by surgery. Some of the medications that are available include:

1. Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is one of the widely used hormonal medications. This is used when exhibitionism has occurred due to hormonal imbalances
2. Usage of Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) when cause is due to decreased serotonin levels in the brain
3. Another medication for hormonal imbalances is Luteinizing hormone-releasing. This is done when the secretion of gonadotropin hormones is more
4. Antiandrogens like cyproterone acetate and flutamide are used when there is an increase in testosterone hormones.
5. Electroshock aversionSocial skills training is given where exhibitionists are taught how to form healthy relationships and how one has to behave in the public
6. Social skills training is given where exhibitionists are taught how to form healthy relationships and how one has to behave in the public

In worst cases, surgical castration is done where the testes is removed.

You can help prevent exhibitionism by funding towards the treatment of paraphilias in adolescents. You may also prevent it by fighting against child abuse.