What is a schizoid personality?

 Schizoid personality disorder is a disorder where by an individual avoids social interactions and consistently withdraws from interaction with others. Individuals with Schizoid personality are usually loners and lack the ability to interact with others or form any type of constructive relationship. Individuals with schizoid personality disorder usually appear as aloof with a dry humor and are alone in a social environment. These individuals have very limited range of emotions, have a flat affect and usually remain indifferent to the surrounding environment. Most have little desire of experiencing sex, have very little to say, lack motivation, under perform and appear dull or boring to others. However, the inner life of these individuals is full of turmoil, confusion, ambivalence and wanting some type of emotional comfort. When given a chance to develop a relationship, these individuals quickly feel suffocated and retreat.

Does Transvestic Fetishism require treatment?

Most people who practice this type of fetish behavior do not want to be treated because they usually are not harming anyone. For those who feel like their behavior is interfering their work and relationships, treatment comprises of cognitive behavior therapy and use of certain medications (SSRIs) to diminish the urge to cross dress. Unfortunately, despite treatment relapse rates are high.

Is Transvestic Fetishism illegal?

Transvestic fetish is usually performed in private but many males do wear female under-garments to work. Of course, the clothing is worn under regular work clothes. Transvestic fetishism and trans-sexual disorder are not the same. With the former, the individual still wishes to live his/her life as a member of the opposite sex.

Transvestic fetishism is not considered illegal or criminal and most of these individuals lead normal lives. Just like some people like to watch porno movies for sexual arousal, these individuals like to cross dress for the purpose of sexual arousal. Problems usually arise when this type of fetish is combined with other paraphilias like pedophilia or voyeurism.

Are there many people into Transvestic Fetishism?

The exact number of people who are into Transvestic fetishism is unknown because it is a behavior performed at home and not many people brag about it. What is known is that the behavior usually starts in early adolescence and continues throughout life. Men who practice this behavior are often sexually aroused by wearing female garments which may include bras, panties, corsets, slips, girdles, stocking, shoes and even jewelry. These individuals will often masturbate while wearing clothing or may get aroused from just fondling the items. 

The majority of people who practice this behavior are heterosexuals, usually married and have partners who are fully aware of the fetish. In many cases, these people also have children and lead an otherwise normal life.

Transvestic Fetishism: Sexual arousal from cross dressing

Transvestic fetishism is a disorder where one derives sexual arousal from wearing clothes of the opposite sex. The majority of such cases involve males wearing female clothing, but there are some reports that females also derive similar sexual pleasure from wearing men’s clothes. The disorder is only considered a problem if the individual has been deriving sexual pleasure from cross dressing for at least 6 months. Moreover, the urge to cross dress must cause some type of personal stress and affect both lifestyle and interpersonal relationships.

Can one prevent conversion disorder?

Unfortunately there is no way to prevent conversion disorder, but if you have been diagnosed with any type of mental health disorder, ensure that you are being properly treated.

Is there any specific treatment for conversion disorder?

In most cases, the symptoms of conversion disorder do improve without any treatment; the best treatment is reassurance that the symptoms have no serious underlying pathology. If the symptoms do recur, then one may benefit from psychotherapy, physical therapy or use of medications. Many individuals with recurrent conversion disorder are treated with anti anxiety agents, sedatives or beta blocking drugs. In some cases, anti depressants have helped relieve the symptoms. There are reports that certain individuals may benefit from hypnosis and mind relaxing techniques. Recently, brain magnetic stimulation has been attempted in individuals with conversion disorder. The results so far are mediocre and not everyone responds to the treatment.