health

Some people find certain objects or body parts sexually stimulating and
even use them as a part of their sexual fantasies or sexual activity. However,
as long as these people do not become fixated on the objects or body parts,
they probably do not have a fetish. A fixation is an unhealthy preoccupation
with or attachment to an object, and the fixated person invests the
object with sexual meaning or value.
When people become fixated to the point that they can only become
minimally aroused without a certain object or they can no longer become
sexually aroused without it, they are considered fetishists. When an object
is not available, the fetishist may fantasize about it as the only way to
satisfy the desire.
Fetishists exhibit certain characteristics and behaviors. First, these
individuals have fantasies involving the item of choice for at least six
months. These are fairly common. More serious fetishes may cause disturbances
in a person’s ability to relate to others. Some people may find a
line of work that helps satisfy their fantasies. For instance, a person with
a panty fetish may find work in a lingerie store.