# 197 - 6D34 Frotteuristic disorder

# 6D34 Frotteuristic disorder

583
Paraphilic disorders
Boundary with sexual crimes that do not involve a paraphilic disorder
Sexual crimes involving coercive sexual behaviours may consist of actions or behaviours that are 
not associated with a sustained underlying paraphilic arousal pattern. Rather, these behaviours 
may be transient and occur impulsively or opportunistically. The diagnosis of coercive sexual 
sadism disorder requires these behaviours to be a manifestation of a sustained, focused and 
intense pattern of sexual arousal.
Frotteuristic disorder
Essential (required) features
• A sustained, focused and intense pattern of sexual arousal – as manifested in persistent 
sexual thoughts, fantasies, urges or behaviours – that involves touching or rubbing against 
a non-consenting person is required for diagnosis.
• The individual must have acted on these thoughts, fantasies or urges, or be markedly 
distressed by them.
Additional clinical features
• Frotteuristic disorder should not be diagnosed among children, and should be diagnosed 
only with the utmost caution among adolescents. Sexual experimentation is typical during 
adolescence, and sexual acts may occur impulsively or opportunistically rather than 
representing a recurrent pattern of sexual arousal.
• The diagnosis of frotteuristic disorder is generally not adequately supported when the 
evidence indicating a sustained, focused and intense pattern of sexual arousal consists 
solely of a single or very limited number of instances of frotteuristic behaviour, as there 
may be other explanations for specific occurrences (e.g. intoxication, opportunity). In the 
absence of a report of the individual’s sexual thoughts, fantasies or urges, examples of other 
forms of evidence supporting the presence of an frotteuristic arousal pattern include a 
preference for specific types of pornography; preference over other forms of sexual beh
aviour; or planning and repeatedly seeking out opportunities to engage in 
frotteuristic behaviour.
Boundary with normality (threshold)
• By definition, frotteuristic disorder specifically excludes consensual touching or rubbing 
that occurs with the consent of the individual involved.
6D34
Paraphilic disorders | Frotteuristic disorder

Clinical Descriptions and Diagnostic Requirements for ICD-11 Mental, Behavioural or Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Course features
• Individuals with frotteuristic disorder often report the onset of frotteuristic sexual interest 
during adolescence.
• Frotteuristic disorder is relatively stable after young adulthood, but sexual thoughts, 
fantasies, urges and behaviours may change over time, such that an individual who was 
assigned a diagnosis of frotteuristic disorder no longer meets the diagnostic requirements.
Developmental presentations
• Advancing age may be associated with decreasing paraphilic sexual arousal and decreasing 
behavioural manifestations of frotteuristic disorder due to increased impulse control and 
decreased sexual drive.
Sex- and/or gender-related features
• Frotteuristic disorder is much more prevalent among men.
Boundaries with other disorders and conditions (differential diagnosis)
Boundary with compulsive sexual behaviour disorder
Both frotteuristic disorder and compulsive sexual behaviour disorder may involve repetitive 
sexual impulses, urges or behaviours that result in marked distress or impairment. Frotteuristic 
disorder is characterized by sexual impulses, urges or behaviours that are manifestations of a 
sustained, focused and intense pattern of sexual arousal that involves touching or rubbing against 
a non-consenting person. In contrast, compulsive sexual behaviour disorder is characterized by 
a persistent pattern of failure to control sexual impulses, urges or behaviours, regardless of the 
focus of sexual arousal. If an individual with frotteuristic disorder is able to exercise some degree 
of control over the behavioural expressions of the arousal pattern, an additional diagnosis of 
compulsive sexual behavioural disorder is generally not warranted.
Boundary with disorders due to substance use
Episodes of impulsive or disinhibited sexual behaviour, including frotteuristic behaviour, may 
occur during substance intoxication. Such episodes may not be a manifestation of a sustained, 
focused and intense sexual arousal pattern. At the same time, some individuals with frotteuristic 
Paraphilic disorders | Frotteuristic disorder