d a "psycho-sexual disorder." Clinicians indicate that the transvestic phenomena range along a continuum. The range of transvestite cross-dressing goes from wearing women's panties under the usual male clothing throughout the day, to episodic solitary wearing of lingerie (in about one-third of the cases). And then there is elaborate cross dressing in the privacy of one's home, to extensive involvement in a transvestic subculture including episodic appearances in public while fully cross dressed, in a
The diagnostic criteria include: (1) repeated and
persistent cross dressing by a male with a predominantly hetero-sexual orientation; (2) association of cross dressing with sexual excitement; and (3) report of intense frustration with the interference of cross dressing. In addition, the
transvestite reports a different personality when cross dressed. Ziegler (1984) indicates that these expressions may result from their experiencing, in female clothing, a facet of their
psychological makeup that cannot be expressed, otherwise.
It is important to point out that the majority of transvestites are heterosexual and no attempt is made to attract the sexual attention of other males. The cross dressing, alone, is the focal point of sexual stimulation (Ziegler, 1984).
Transvestites report anxiety, depression, guilt, and shame with the desire to cross dress. However, they continue to cross dress because of the considerable satisfaction derived from the practice (Ziegler, 1984).
About 54% of transvestites indicate childhood or early adolescent cross dressing experiences. Initially, partial cross dressing leads to total cr
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