Transvestic fetishism

Transvestic fetishism is a psychiatric diagnosis applied in some countries to people who are sexually aroused by the act of cross-dressing and experience significant distress or impairment – socially or occupationally – because of their behavior.<ref name="DSM5 2013"/><ref name=DSM/>

However in countries which have adopted the World Health Organization standard ICD-11 CDDR it is not a diagnosis, but been deprecated in favor of the more general "Paraphilic disorder involving solitary behavior or consenting individuals".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In countries, such as the United States as of 2025, which use the American Psychiatric Association DSM-5 it is categorized as a paraphilic disorder under the name transvestic disorder.<ref name="DSM-5-paraphillic">Template:Cite book</ref> It differs from cross-dressing without distress or impairment, or for entertainment or other purposes that do not involve sexual arousal.

Diagnosis

DSM-5

The DSM-5 states that late-onset gender dysphoria in adolescent and adult natal males is preceded by "transvestic behavior with sexual excitement" in many cases.<ref name=DSM-5>Template:Cite book</ref>

According to DSM-IV, transvestic fetishism was limited to heterosexual men; however, the DSM-5 does not have this restriction, and opens it to women and men with this interest, regardless of their sexual orientation.<ref name="DSM5 2013">Template:Cite web</ref> It is, however, usually documented in men.<ref name="Cowen">Template:Cite book</ref>

There are two key criteria before a psychiatric diagnosis of "transvestic fetishism" is made:<ref name=DSM>American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.</ref>

1. Individuals must be sexually aroused by the act of cross-dressing.
2. Individuals must experience significant distress or impairment – socially or occupationally – because of their behavior.

References

• Template:Cite book