Updated on October 1, 2026 by John Ingham
Object sexuality, also called objectophilia, is a descriptive term for romantic or sexual attraction to inanimate objects. It is not a standalone DSM-5-TR diagnosis. Whether a sexual interest constitutes a clinical disorder depends on distress, impairment, risk, and applicable diagnostic criteria—not simply the unusual nature of the attraction.
People who experience distress, relationship difficulties, or co-occurring mental health concerns can seek a respectful, individualized assessment. Montare Behavioral Health offers compassionate care focused on the person’s needs and well-being rather than assuming an unusual attraction is itself a disorder.
What is Object Sexuality?
Object sexuality, also known as objectum sexuality or objectophilia, refers to the act of developing strong romantic and sexual attractions to inanimate objects, whether concrete or abstract, rather than to people. People who describe this attraction may fall in love, in their own way, with things like a car, a painting, a bridge, a statue, or even a word. They experience deep emotional connections and a sense of commitment to these objects, similar to the way others might feel about a person.
Many people with object sexuality do not form attractions to humans, instead focusing their affection exclusively on the object of their love. Some go as far as to believe the object reciprocates their feelings, attributing to it a soul or the ability to feel emotions.
Is Object Sexuality a Mental Health Disorder?
Object sexuality is not a standalone DSM-5-TR diagnosis and does not inherently require treatment. A clinician considers the person’s distress, daily functioning, safety, and applicable diagnostic criteria. Co-occurring depression, anxiety, or other concerns can be assessed and treated on their own merits.
Why Do People Fall In Love with Inanimate Objects?
The idea of someone falling in love with or being attracted to inanimate objects confuses most people. Their first question is why does it happen? Its origins are not well established, and available research is limited.
Because object sexuality is so uncommon, studies continue to help treatment experts understand its source. As of now, some research has explored an association between objectophilia and autism. These findings do not establish causation or mean that either characteristic determines the other.
People with object sexuality also have a higher incidence of having synesthesia, which is a neurological disorder that causes information that would typically stimulate one of a person’s senses to instead stimulate several of them.
Challenges for Someone With Objectophelia
The first widely reported case of objectophilia was in 1979, when a Swedish woman “married” the Berlin Wall, In 2007, another woman “married” the Eiffel Tower. In both cases, the women received a lot of attention in the media, and most people assumed they were mentally ill or attention-seeking.
Even those who struggle with object sexuality outside of the media’s eye also suffer from embarrassment and judgment. Typically, their feelings for the object prove so strong that they discuss them with family members, friends, and others. This often creates a reputation for them that they are weird or crazy and makes it difficult for the person to sustain these relationships with people.
Relationships and support needs vary. An attraction to objects does not by itself establish that someone cannot have meaningful relationships with people.
Can Object Sexuality be Treated?
Treatment is not required solely because someone experiences object sexuality. If the person wants support for distress, impairment, compulsive behavior, or another mental health concern, therapy can address their individual goals. Medication may be considered for an identified co-occurring condition or selected symptoms, rather than presented as a proven treatment for objectophilia itself.
Contact Montare Behavioral Health for Treatment Today
If you or someone you care about experiences distress or difficulty functioning, a mental health professional can offer a nonjudgmental assessment. Montare Behavioral Health can discuss appropriate support for the concerns identified, without assuming that object sexuality itself is a disorder.
Do you have questions about how our program works? Contact us today and let us answer your questions. Getting help is just a phone call away.