No, it is not always a fetish or sexual. It's therapeutic.

[PapaBear001]

I think your point did not get lost. Many members do not have a fetish and do this as a casual passtime or for medical reasons. I hope you don't feel maginalized because there is a lot of fetish discussions. If the ADISC definition is outdated, we should talk about updating it from a dictionary definition to clinical definitions. Having a different category for non-sexual experience might be a good idea but it reduces the inclusiveness of the group. Still would be an Admin thing to determine.

 

[Drynites154]

well finally a website which understands and isnt porn

 

[Dinotopian2002]

I’m bladder incontinent due to serious chronic nerve pain in the lower half of my body, so a diaper is a must for me to keep dry.

That being said, I’ve come to rely on diapers as being a comfort blanket as well. Without sounding weak, a well-taped diaper can give me some much-needed pain relief as well, which is very welcoming. It also means I don’t need to take as many painkillers, which helps cut down on side effects.

Breathe Deep, Seek Peace
Dinotopian2002

 

[olddon300]

I came to diapers late in life, after a lifetime underwear fetish.I don't think of it as a fetish, but as something which give me comfort, pleasure, and convenience, and seems to calm anxiety. It';s like a secret to let loose when in public, or even with friends. When I started, I consulted an old friend therapist.He thought it was great if it felt good, with no harm to anyone. Now I only use for wear pretty much all day, but not at night. Great for movies and concerts. Only two friends know, and they need them in their old age.

 

[Slomo]

Agreed, being a dl simply does not mean this is a fetish. Especially for everyone as a whole. As the op stated, it is theraputic for the vast majority of us. And going through all the statements above proves it.

 

[OmiOMy]

You put it into words

It's exactly like you said for me, @neophyte — it's sensory and comforting for me, not at all sexual. It's never been sexual for me. I like the softness and the security. I like the experience. I like how it makes me feel kinda small and protected. I feel weird when the discussion goes sexual. I honestly wish there were more people who share this kind of view — rather, were willing to share it.

 

[dogboy]

I think Trevor has nailed it. It's a spectrum and we fall somewhere in that spectrum from not at all to very sexual. In the big picture, does it matter? We all have our own personal reasons for wanting to wear diapers and so here we are on this site, sharing our experiences. That's kind of nice when you think about it.

 

[AAO]

It started off non-sexual because when I realized at 4-5 that I still wanted to wear diapers I don’t think I was having sexual thoughts (although I’m sure I knew things felt good down there, just didn’t understand why). About 12 when the hormones took off it became completely sexual. That lasted into my early 20s when the hormones started to calm down again and now in my mid-30s it is both. At times it is sexual and at times it is therapudic.

 

[Melon]

I know that for me when my first desire for diapers came up it was at a young age of 5 or 6, so it's safe to say that in it's first stages it was not sexual.

It started off non-sexual because when I realized at 4-5 that I still wanted to wear diapers I don’t think I was having sexual thoughts (although I’m sure I knew things felt good down there, just didn’t understand why). About 12 when the hormones took off it became completely sexual. That lasted into my early 20s when the hormones started to calm down again and now in my mid-30s it is both. At times it is sexual and at times it is therapudic.

And just as you said it, somewhere down the line there was an appearance of a sexual aspect to it which died down about 4 years ago when I got into my 20's. Ever since then I struggled with questions like, "I don't find them appealing from sexualy driven desires, so why do i still want them?". And after moving out on my own when I was able to try out wearing 24/7 I noticed they really do have a deeper meaning to me than just occasional wearing for sexual pleasure, as it probably does for many it goes the same for me.
To some extent, with many more people than one would think, it might even dip into BIID side of things. Hell I'm even starting to accept the option that I might be falling on that part of the spectrum.

So as far as editing the classification of wishing for being diapered or diaper dependant would need a slight addition that acknowledges the bigger than described existence of a different reasoning for wearing diapers, I would agree to it

 

[Trevor]

I know that for me when my first desire for diapers came up it was at a young age of 5 or 6, so it's safe to say that in it's first stages it was not sexual.

And just as you said it, somewhere down the line there was an appearance of a sexual aspect to it which died down about 4 years ago when I got into my 20's. Ever since then I struggled with questions like, "I don't find them appealing from sexualy driven desires, so why do i still want them?". And after moving out on my own when I was able to try out wearing 24/7 I noticed they really do have a deeper meaning to me than just occasional wearing for sexual pleasure, as it probably does for many it goes the same for me.
To some extent, with many more people than one would think, it might even dip into BIID side of things. Hell I'm even starting to accept the option that I might be falling on that part of the spectrum.

So as far as editing the classification of wishing for being diapered or diaper dependant would need a slight addition that acknowledges the bigger than described existence of a different reasoning for wearing diapers, I would agree to it

Not to disagree with what it does or doesn't mean for you but despite my first curiosity about diapers starting at age 3-4, I would consistently classify that desire as a sexual one. I didn't understand that at the time but this was sexual excitement, same as I feel now. It took moving into my adult years and socializing with other ABDLs before it broadened, adding other dimensions but retaining that sexual drive at the core.

 

[MonkeyBaby94]

I grew up a DL and diapers were strictly sexual until I had the opportunity explore the AB side I never knew I had. Now diapers aren't as sexual for me if at all and they have become very theraputic.

 

[ST50]

nothing sexual about nappies for me. I am just genuinely happier in nappies. Good job as I am incontinent and have to wear them.

 

[d4l]

I've waited a month to post this. I know there are many members here, and just as many different reasons why we are DLs.

We don't call other forms of therapy a fetish, wearing diapers shouldn't always be labeled as a fetish either.

I use diapers almost exclusively for therapeutic reasons now a days. While it was no doubt sexual at one point, now its one the few things that allow my brain to slip out of gear, so to speak. PTSD manifests differently for every person, but for me it allows inconsequential things to be repeated on a loop until the sky is falling and its always been extremely difficult to pull myself out of the loop once there. Every little thing feeds into it after that and i end up in a panic attack or rage. I feel like at some point it almost becomes beyond my control, though the various therapies have helped immensely. I still feel like snuggled up in bed, diapered with a pacifier and bottle is the only time it shifts from being controlled to actually alleviated to some extent.

Theyre much more non sexual to me than even 5 years ago if i had to guess, to the point of almost none currently. I call myself an AB with hints of DL.

1. Wearing an ABDL diaper somehow makes me feel youthful. I (and many of us) miss that time in our lives where our days were stress free, we were cared for and nurtured, it was a very loving part of our lives. I am now in my 30s, I am a provider for my family and I have all of the stresses squarely on my shoulders now. I've even sucked a pacifier a couple times, rare occasion. (My tongue actually presses up and hard on the top of my mouth when I sleep, I wish I could use a pacifier at night sometimes)

You sound like you might actually be an AB to some extent. That regression is one of the key components. Its Its commonly referred to as littlespace.

Is there room for a new definition which addresses the DLs who use it for therapeutic reasons?

I think the two terms we already have fit that in just fine. Both AB and to a lesser extent DL can aleady Indicate a non sexual interest. Heck many people completely avoid sex when in little space because it breaks the immersion.

 

[lilshelly]

I find this interesting. I started out as a DL ashamed of it something terrible because it was during that confusing time called puberty. As I have gotten older it has become something that is not sexual at all. I went into diapers because of my disability I don't get around so well anymore. The shame that I felt has slowly disappeared. I still have a little bit of shame but with the actual need for diapers it has gotten easier to handle.
I found that as I started to wear for my disability I found a calming affect that nothing else had really been able to give me so much so that others notice it and have brought it to my attention.
As I now wear diapers just about 24/7 I find myself looking to extend that comfort and learn to be a little. I was debating the therapeutic value of it but I think the more I read I might just dive in and give the little side of myself a chance.

 

[PapaBear001]

I find this interesting. I started out as a DL ashamed of it something terrible because it was during that confusing time called puberty. As I have gotten older it has become something that is not sexual at all. I went into diapers because of my disability I don't get around so well anymore. The shame that I felt has slowly disappeared. I still have a little bit of shame but with the actual need for diapers it has gotten easier to handle.
I found that as I started to wear for my disability I found a calming affect that nothing else had really been able to give me so much so that others notice it and have brought it to my attention.
As I now wear diapers just about 24/7 I find myself looking to extend that comfort and learn to be a little. I was debating the therapeutic value of it but I think the more I read I might just dive in and give the little side of myself a chance.

Take it at your own pace. Make sure you are comfortable. If you start feeling unconfortable you can always stop and ponder it for a bit or maybe post something. You can always try it again later. I think you are going to slip into a diaper, find your favorate teddy to cuddle and off to La La Land!

 

[HappyNotHappy]

It always starts a a sexual thing but the more and more I wear the less sexual it becomes and diapers just become a part of who I am.