Are you autosexual without even knowing it? Many confuse this tendency with narcissism, but here's what it really means
Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Autosexuality, defined as sexual attraction to oneself, is often misunderstood and wrongly linked to narcissistic personality disorder.
- Experts clarify that while autosexual individuals may prefer themselves and masturbation, they are capable of relationships and lack the empathy deficits of narcissism.
- The term has gained attention, with figures like Kourtney Kardashian identifying with it and its search volume increasing significantly.
The concept of autosexuality, characterized by sexual attraction to oneself, is frequently subject to misinformation and confusion, often being incorrectly associated with narcissistic personality disorder. Experts are working to clarify its meaning, emphasizing that it should not be conflated with personality disorders.
Autosexuality is a trait where an individual is aroused by engaging with their own eroticism.
In a world where sexuality is increasingly viewed as a spectrum, understanding less common orientations like autosexuality is growing. Unlike narcissism, autosexuality does not inherently involve a lack of empathy or a need for admiration. While autosexual individuals may naturally prefer themselves and masturbation over partnered sex, they remain capable of forming relationships with others.
Casey Tanner, founder of QueerSexTherapy, describes autosexuality as a trait where an individual is aroused by engaging with their own eroticism. "While this may not apply to everyone, generally we feel more sexual and turned on when we feel sexy to ourselves," Tanner explained. This growing awareness is reflected in the term being among the most searched sexual queries in 2024.
While this may not apply to everyone, generally we feel more sexual and turned on when we feel sexy to ourselves.
Public figures have also brought autosexuality into the conversation. Kourtney Kardashian, for instance, indicated in 2024 that she identifies as autosexual, suggesting that "everyone is, at least a little bit." This public acknowledgment, alongside increased search interest, highlights a broader societal engagement with understanding diverse sexual preferences.
Are you autosexual? The short answer is yes, most likely. In fact, we all are, at least a little bit.
Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.