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Exhibitionism – A Case Report and Review of Literature


SO Olotu
KO Akhigbe

Abstract

Paraphilias are psychiatric disorders of abnormal sexual behaviour that are usually conceptualized as deviant in nature. (1). There is a dearth of epidemiological data on the paraphilias for the following reasons: (i) under-reporting due to concealment, (ii) ego-syntonic disposition of the patient to his/her paraphilic practice, and (iii) missed diagnosis when they present.


There is a paucity of case reports and controlled therapy outcome studies on the effectiveness of treatment, particularly from sub-Saharan Africa. This necessitated this case report of a 26 year-old male who presented with Depressive disorder and Exhibitionism. He was treated successfully with Clomipramine and Cognitive behaviour therapy techniques.


The literature is reviewed with a note on the cultural dimension to this problem. It is suggested that routine prompts and/or questions probing the ‘cause-effect' relationship as well as the associated factors that patients confer on their complaints can go far in revealing hidden psychopathologies.


Keywords: Paraphilia, Exhibitionism, Courtship disorders


Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol.45(5) 2004: 76-79

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eISSN: 0189-0964