Contribution to the psychoanalytic theory of exhibitionism
Roten, E.
Zeitschrift für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychoanalyse 22(4): 305-325
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0340-5613 PMID: 1014910 Document Number: 107729
Exhibitionism can be regarded as a cultural, social and psychological phenomenon. It is given a view of the theories in the literature. Once exhibitionism is a normal human phenomen, otherwise it is pathological, par example also a neurotic symptom. The early psychoanalytic theories describe exhibitionism as a "Psychoneurose" as a result of "Odiopussituation", "Kastrationskomplex" and "Inzestwunsch". Psychodynamically this is not satisfying. With the development of psychoanalytic theory, especially the importance of the pregenital phases, changes the classification of perversions. In this article, exhibitionism-- as a neurotic symptom -- is defined as a "schizoide Perversion" (Riemann), which causes can be find in a preoral, intentional phase. Naturally the treatment must be adapted to it.