Objectophilia - What is it?, Where does it come from?, and how should you respond?
Objectophilia, or objectum-sexuality, is an emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to specific inanimate objects. Individuals with this orientation may experience deep emotional connections to objects like buildings, cars, or even intangible things like words. This attraction can be exclusive or coexist with other attractions, and its social or psychological impact depends on how it affects a person's other relationships and daily functioning.
Dispelling Misconceptions
Not a Mental Illness: Objectophilia is not classified in the DSM-5 and is not inherently pathological—unless it causes distress or impairs daily life (Objectum Sexuality: Meaning, Causes & Real-Life Stories | Allo Health, What is objectophilia? The attraction toward objects, explained).
Distinct from Fetishism: Unlike fetishism, where an object is used for sexual gratification devoid of emotional connection, objectophilia involves genuine love, emotional intimacy, and perceived reciprocity with the object ("I Am in Love with Trains" | Psychology Today, What is objectophilia? The attraction toward objects, explained).
Origins & Possible Causes of Objectophilia
Neurological Traits: Autism & Synesthesia
A 2019 empirical study found people with objectophilia have significantly higher rates of autism and synesthesia. Says Julia Simner et al.: objectophilia may encapsulate these neurodevelopmental traits in its phenomenology (Objectum sexuality: A sexual orientation linked with autism and synaesthesia | Scientific Reports) .
Another review argues that key features of autism—like preference for objects, focus on patterns, and social isolation—can contribute to objectophilia, as can cross-modal mental imagery (a form of synesthesia) (PubMed) .
Psychological & Social Factors
Some objectophiles report emotional bonds with objects forming in response to social isolation, past trauma, or fear of rejection in human relationships (Objectum Sexuality: Meaning, Causes & Real-Life Stories | Allo Health).
In some cases, assigning personality or gender to objects (via personification or synesthetic experiences) deepens emotional connection (What is objectophilia? The attraction toward objects, explained).
How to Support Someone with Objectophilia
1. Acknowledge & Validate Their Feelings
Understand that their connection feels deeply real and meaningful to them—akin to human love. Avoid judgment, shaming, or dismissal.
2. Foster Respect, Not Pathologization
Recognize objectophilia as a legitimate sexual orientation. Use informed, respectful language. Highlight that professional perspectives affirm it is valid when non-harmful (Is It Love, Or Is It Object Personification Synesthesia?).
3. Encourage Safe, Consensual Expression
Support their expression while ensuring it's non-harmful and consensual. Legal or public exposure issues aside, their relationship with the object may be deeply comforting.
4. Provide Emotional and Social Support
Help reduce feelings of isolation by connecting them with supportive communities or forums like Objectum-Sexuality Internationale—spaces offering understanding, not judgment (Objectum Sexuality: Meaning, Causes & Real-Life Stories | Allo Health, What is objectophilia? The attraction toward objects, explained).
5. Professional Support When Needed
If objectophilia impairs functioning—e.g., interfering with daily life or mental health—consider therapy:
Focus on managing compulsive or distressing feelings.
Cognitive-behavioral approaches may help balance emotional bonds without invalidating identity (Unpacking Object Sexuality | Montare Behavioral Health).
6. Combat Stigma & Raise Awareness
Advocate for broader awareness that not all loving relationships are human-centric. Reduce marginalization by challenging “humanonormativity”—the belief that love must be between humans (Objectophilia: On the People Who Fall in Love with Inanimate Things ‹ Literary Hub).