Originally Posted by
ReineD
Sally, I'm so glad you've posted this. It is a sentiment that is expressed here a lot and I'm sure most every CD can relate to it. I've been trying to find a word that describes it. It is not an outright sexual fetish as in having a fetish over particular items of clothing, or even over the idea of being a woman as in the case of autogynephilia.
But, it is still as you say, a "high" that women and TSs simply don't experience even when they dress up to go to nightclubs. I hate to use the word "fetish" since it does have negative connotations because it is associated with sex, and as you say the dressing is not sexual for you and many others. There are several other, non-sexual dictionary definitions for fetish and one of them might be considered.
Using the words "addiction" or "compulsion" won't do, since they imply there is no feminine gender ID that needs expression, although the brain chemicals that are released when you and others feel like this are the same as the chemicals released when an addict or compulsive engage in their substance or behavior of choice
What word could be used to accurately describe this intense attraction, or high, that so many CDs experience? If it is not a sexual excitement that leads to orgasm, then what type of excitement is it?
I think this is very much in line with Doc's question.