Compulsive exhibitionism successfully treated with fluvoxamine: a controlled case study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Paraphilias are psychosexual disorders that are usually conceptualized as deviant in nature. Yet in some cases, paraphilia can be conceptualized as an obsessive compulsive disorder.

METHOD:

We describe an exhibitionist treated under partial single-blind conditions (patient was blind to placebo but was aware he was receiving desipramine and fluvoxamine) with the serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor fluvoxamine, followed by desipramine and a placebo that looked like fluvoxamine, in an ABACA design. He was serially assessed with the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale.

RESULTS:

Fluvoxamine eliminated the undesired impulse and behavior without affecting sexual desire. Desipramine and single-blind fluvoxamine-placebo treatment were both associated with relapses.

CONCLUSION:

A subset of paraphiliacs may be suffering from obsessive-compulsive-related disorders and may benefit from serotonergic agents.

• Authors: J Zohar, Z Kaplan, J Benjamin
• Journal: The Journal of clinical psychiatry (J Clin Psychiatry) Vol. 55 Issue 3 Pg. 86-8 (Mar 1994) ISSN: 0160-6689 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8071253 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Placebos
• Fluvoxamine
• Desipramine

Topics

• Adult
• Desipramine (therapeutic use)
• Exhibitionism (complications, drug therapy, psychology)
• Fluvoxamine (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Masturbation (complications, drug therapy, psychology)
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (complications, drug therapy, psychology)
• Placebos
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Single-Blind Method
• Treatment Outcome