So the abbreviated version of why I think so: a sex therapist explained it to me this way - the physiological responses to tickling are very similar to those connected to sex. When the person is older and has sexual physiological responses that mirror the response from what happened from tickling, the mind conflates the two. The wires get crossed and a tickle fetishist is born. Not for everyone though. Guess I'm just lucky. 🙁
So, sharing my story is exactly how I sorted it all out! As much as I'd like to answer your question more directly, I don't know if I should since the forum is careful about not promoting stories about minors. I was pretty young at the time. 😬
The psychology of tickling IS so interesting...as mentioned by Piyr.....there are so many crossed wires when it comes to tickling and sex .... the two activities are the most intimate that two ppl will encounter/enjoy .... whether tickling btw two ppl in an actual romantic relationship...or simply as LER to LEE....or even LERS to LEE...!
Tickling it is the 'closest' humans will get between each other aside from sex....The ticklish spots on a LEE all mimic or are the same as erogenous zones...its usually only a matter of degree and quality of touch...
the hormonal responses to tickling is the same as sexual relations....
the feeling of 'well being' after both are so very similar....
The Ler who tickles with an affectionate demeanor (not in a 'mean' way...but just to explore the Lee's limits) can still be extremely intense .... but the mindset is more of the wonder of exploring...to see what we can do with our talents as ticklers...and yes to overwhelm the Lee's senses and their whole mind...I LOVE that dynamic about tickling.....But in reality...No different than performing the other 'intimate' act!
That 'wiring' is why the emotions and responses to tickle and being tickled are so varied....and also it's not just your brain wiring but how you were exposed to tickling (whenever you were introduced to it)...how you responded and what behaviors you associated with it...
I have tickled as a 'purist' tickler in a platonic fashion to obtain the fun and sometimes every intense reactions...but also sensually ...with the intention of leading to the other 'most intimate' things.....I am wired to be able to separate those types of tickling based on the circumstances and the Lee's involved...but I understand also why some ticklers or ticlklees can't.....it's not that one is stronger mentally or better than the other...and certainly our own built in preferences play a large part...but that is why I like to personally define tickling as a fixation ...Bec its not an automatic sexual fetish or kink for me...and not for everyone...But its totally understandable that many feel that way...as you say...we are all wired differently and the wires cross all over the place to give us the psyche we were born with and that we have fostered during our own mental growth !
That intimacy factor is again, why I think our society suffers from lack of human touch/contact...And why many Lee's crave the ticklish sensations (and the hormone rushes) and go back time and time again..to repeat those type of sessions...not all are into torturous levels but 'need' tickling to balance themselves mentally and physcially....
Burt good points you brought up, Piyr !