Partialism is sexual fetish with an exclusive focus on a specific part of the body other than genitals.[1][2][3] Partialism is categorized as a fetishistic disorder in the DSM-5 of the American Psychiatric Association only if it causes significant psychosocial distress for the person or has detrimental effects on important areas of their life. In the DSM-IV, it was considered a separate paraphilia (not otherwise specified), but was merged into fetishistic disorder by the DSM-5.[1] Individuals who exhibit partialism sometimes describe the anatomy of interest to them as having equal or greater erotic attraction for them as do the genitals.[4]
Partialism occurs in heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual individuals.[5][6] Foot fetishism is considered one of the most common partialisms.[7][8]
The following are some of the partialisms commonly found among people:[2][7][9][10][11]
Formal name | Common name | Source of arousal |
---|---|---|
Podophilia | Foot fetish | Foot |
Oculophilia | Eye fetish | Eye |
Maschalagnia | Armpit fetish | Armpit |
Retrophilia | Back/dorsum fetish | Back |
Mazophilia | Breast fetish | Breasts |
Pygophilia | Buttocks fetish | Buttocks |
Nasophilia | Nose fetish | Nose |
Trichophilia | Hair fetish | Hair |
Alvinophilia | Navel/belly button fetish | Navel |
Alvinolagnia | Belly/stomach fetish | Belly |
Cheirophilia | Hand fetish | Hand |
Crurophilia | Leg fetish | Leg |
Orisophilia | Lip fetish | Lip |
Buccalagnia | Cheek fetish | Facial Cheek |
Erogonophilia | Dimple fetish | Dimple |