54.

satisfaction in imitating feminine appearance and behaviour? The author says "if the psychoanalytical viewpoint were accepted...... maybe so, but lets

look around for some other viewpoints that can ex- plain a lot of the aspects of TVism that never get considered by most psychiatrists))).

SYMPTOMATOLOGY

The Clinical Picture of Transvestism:

This may be divided into two types, according to the intensity of symptoms.

The milder form of transvestism is usually confined to mere desire to wear the dress appropriate to the opp- osite sex, though the "feminine" tendencies of male trans- vestites may betray themselves by the choice of occupation or hobby, by feminine mannerisms, and by a general femin- ine atmosphere in their homes. However, in the majority of cases the abnormality of the behavior is usually con- fined to cross-dressing only.

Most transvestites belong to this form of transvestism They are usually capable of controlling their behavior in such a manner as to avoid criticism and disapproval of their social group. In their daily life they may present no peculiarities in their behavior and dress, and their secret and unusual activities may remain often "unsuspect- ed even by those nearest to them" (Ellis).

This compromise between the urge to cross-dress and the prohibitions imposed by society is achieved in one of two ways: 1, either by permanently wearing one particular part of a female garment, most often panties, under their usual male suit; or 2, by completely dressing as a woman, though only for a short period at a time, usually in the evening in the privacy of their homes. The latter solu- tion is particularly often sought by narcissistic person- alities, manifesting the "Mirror Complex" (Gutheil) i.e. the self admiration in front of a mirror, whilst in a female dress, often accompanied by auto-erotic practices.