Exhibitionism Involves intense, recurrent and sexually arousing fantasies involving the exposure of the individual's genitals. This may, in turn, translate into putting this fantasy into action and engaging in these behaviors. However, a key feature of this need is that the individual be a stranger or unsuspecting. Repeatedly for at least 6 months the patient has intense sexual desires, fantasies or behavior concerning genital self-exposure to an unsuspecting stranger. This causes clinically important distress or impairs work, social or personal functioning.
Some disorders have similar or even the same symptoms.
Children often have a natural curiosity about their genitals and the genitals of others. Young children may like to try to shock adults or other children by showing their genitals or underwear. This is typically a passing phase and only calls for professional treatment if it persists. Most exhibitionists do not receive treatment until they are caught by the police and the court orders treatment. Cognitive, behavior, and psychoanalytic therapies are used to treat individuals with paraphilias .