Exhibitionism is the revelation of one's sexual organs to non-consenting strangers chiefly for personal erotic excitement or pleasure. Exhibitionism is also known in lay terms as “flashing".
Exhibitionism is a bona fide psychiatric disorder included in the DSM IV. The diagnostic criteria for exhibitionism entail that the individual has experienced strong sexual urges/arousal when exposing his/her genitals to strangers for at least six months. Going to New Orleans and flashing your breasts once or twice would not be considered exhibitionism by this criteria. Moreover, the individual has either acted upon these urges or they also cause significant personal distress or interpersonal difficulties.
In most cases, the exhibitionist will expose genitals to strangers but in some cases may also actively masturbate in front of the victim. It is the shock of the victim that induces the sexual arousal for the exhibitionist. Usually there is no physical contact with the victim but this also depends on circumstances. Evidence today indicates that there are also aggressive exhibitionists who will touch or grab the victim.
Exhibitionists are quite cunning individuals and usually employ tricks to attract the unsuspecting victim to a certain area. Usually isolated areas are selected but more often than not, the exhibitionist rarely makes any attempt to hide his/her identify. It is this risk factor that is critical for achieving sexual arousal. The real number of exhibitionists in the general population is unknown but among sex offenders, it appears that almost 30 percent have exhibitionist tendencies. While the majority of culprits are males, there are reports that exhibitionism is also common in females. This is common at adult dancing parlors and strip tease bars. Moreover, wearing of skimpy clothes, revealing outfits or see though clothes is also considered exhibitionism--but somehow society rarely complains when it is the female who is the offender!
Exhibitionism usually first surfaces in early teenage years and peaks in the adolescence years. The victims of exhibitionists are usually adult females or children. Most exhibitioners are married or engaged in steady relationships but when closely examined, these individuals do have some degree of sexual dysfunction within the relationship. Although exhibitionism is primarily seen in the younger age groups, it also occurs in the elderly--albeit at a much lower incidence.
Often individuals with exhibitionist tendencies are involved into voyeurism and/or frotteurism (rubbing genitalia against a non-consenting person), and have some degree of pedophilic interests.
The majority of individuals with exhibitionism tendencies only come to treatment when they are in legal difficulties or arrested. The treatment of such behaviors is cognitive behavior therapy coupled with SSRI to decrease the sex drive. Those who are aggressive may also be considered for hormonal sex drive reducing medications.
The prognosis of these individuals is poor. The therapies often fail because the individuals are non-compliant and relapses are common. Most end up incarcerated or labeled as sexual deviants and have difficulty adjusting to normal life.