Foot Fetish: What is a foot fetish? Is fetishism a disorder?
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What is a foot fetish?
A foot fetish is when a person is sexually attracted to feet or uses feet as a sexual object of attraction. This can mean that someone kisses, touches, smells, licks or performs other acts with feet.
Foot fetishism can vary from person to person, and while for some it is just a preference, for others it can become a very important part of their sexual life. Foot fetishism is considered a natural sexual preference and is not usually seen as a problem, but as with any sexual preference, it is completely unacceptable for other people to engage in it without consent or to violate other people’s sexual boundaries.
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What is fetishism?
Fetishism is a condition in which a person develops an excessive interest in, or addiction to, a particular object or material for sexual arousal and gratification. This object can be a garment, shoe, sock, fabric or other item.
It is considered a sexual preference and is normal behaviour for many people. However, for some people, fetishism is experienced intensely outside of their normal sexual behaviour and can have a negative impact on their quality of life and/or social life.
Fetishism usually begins in childhood and can have many different causes. Some research suggests that certain traumatic situations in childhood can trigger fetishism.
For example, traumatic childhood events such as frequent loneliness, emotional neglect or physical abuse may play a role in the development of fetishism. However, the causes of fetishism are not fully understood.
What are the causes of foot fetishism?
Foot fetishism is a sexual preference whose exact cause is unknown. However, some psychologists suggest that foot fetishism may be culturally determined, as feet are associated with sexual attraction in many cultures. In addition, some studies suggest that people with foot fetishism have increased activity in the regions of the brain that process emotional and sexual stimuli related to feet.
However, the causes of foot fetishism can be many and varied. For example, the feet may have been used in a sexually stimulating way in childhood, or the person may have grown up in an environment where feet were associated with sexual attractiveness. Another reason could be that a person has a particular physical feature, such as feet or toes.
Some studies also suggest that people with a footfetish cope with stress, anxiety and other emotional difficulties through actions such as touching or kissing their feet, often in an uncontrollable way.
How can I overcome a foot fetish?
If a foot fetish is having a negative impact on a person’s quality of life or social and/or sexual life, it may be helpful to seek professional help. A psychologist or therapist can provide an individualised therapy programme to address the problems associated with the foot fetish. Therapy can help the person control their foot fetishistic behaviour, develop healthy sexual behaviour and respect the boundaries of others.
Because a feet fetish is a sexual preference, it may not be possible to eliminate it completely. However, people with a feet fetish can keep this preference under control and within reasonable limits. People with a footfetish can have a healthy sex life by communicating openly with a sexual partner they feel comfortable with, respecting the boundaries of others and seeking their consent.
How can dengem help?
Therapy can help a person explore the reasons and feelings associated with fetishism, understand the reasons for these preferences and control these feelings.
dengem and its experienced psychologists are here for you! The psychologists at dengem can help find the best approach to treatment based on the person’s specific needs and situation. You can always make an appointment with one of our psychologists.
References:
- Delcea, C., & Eusei, D. (2019). Fetishist disorder. International Journal of Advanced Studies in Sexology, 1(2), 73–77.
- Ventriglio, A., Bhat, P. C., Torales, J., & Bhugra, D. (2019). Sexuality in the 21st century: Leather or rubber? Fetishism explained. Medical Journal, Armed Forces India, 75(2), 121–124.
- WebMD Editorial Contributors. (2020, December 2). What Is a Foot Fetish? WebMD.
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