Paraphilias are persistent and recurrent sexual interests, urges, fantasies, or behaviors of marked intensity involving objects, activities, or even situations that are atypical in nature. This activity outlines the evaluation and management of paraphilia and paraphilic disorders.
Paraphilia describes a sexual interest in something that is not typically considered sexually arousing. Some paraphilias focus on activities (such as spanking, binding, and whipping) while others focus on a specific erotic target (shoes, clothing, or a specific group of people).
The chapter on paraphilic disorders includes eight conditions: exhibitionistic disorder, fetishistic disor- der, frotteuristic disorder, pedophilic disorder, sexual masochism disorder, sexual sadism disorder, transvestic disorder, and voyeuristic disorder.
Certain medical conditions like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and dementia lead to the person getting obsessed with certain sexual patterns. Changes in brain connections may also cause a paraphilia. Any activity done repeatedly over a period of time if pleasurable causes changes in the nerve pathways and forms circuits.
In order to make a diagnosis of a paraphilic disorder, an individual must have a history of recurrent and intense sexual arousal to the atypical focus lasting at least 6 months that manifests as sexual fantasies, urges, or behaviors.
Paraphilias are frequent, intense, sexually arousing fantasies or behaviors that involve inanimate objects, children or nonconsenting adults, or suffering or humiliation of oneself or the partner.
One theory is that it results from anxiety or early emotional trauma that interferes with what is considered “normal” psychosexual development. Another theory is that early exposure to highly-charged sexual experiences conditions a person to believe that a nonsexual body part or object is sexually exciting.
Some paraphilias may interfere with the capacity for sexual activity with consenting adult partners. In the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), a paraphilia is not diagnosable as a psychiatric disorder unless it causes distress to the individual or harm to others.
In the case of paraphilias, a new distinction is made between a paraphilia (atypical sexual interest or behaviour) and a paraphilic disorder (a mental disorder stemming from the atypical behaviour).
Medications that may be considered in the treatment of paraphilic disorders include the following: Antidepressants, such as lithium and various selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormones (ie, medical castration), such as leuprolide acetate and triptorelin.
Most paraphilias are not harmful If the activity is interfering with a healthy relationship, if the partner has not consented, if it is illegal, and if it is becoming magnified – causing significant distress – it may be time to seek help.
Paraphilias. A disorder in which an individual has recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving (1) nonhuman objects, (2) children or other nonconsenting persons, or (3) the suffering or humiliation of self or partner.
Some paraphilias may interfere with the capacity for sexual activity with consenting adult partners. In the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), a paraphilia is not diagnosable as a psychiatric disorder unless it causes distress to the individual or harm to others.
In the case of paraphilias, a new distinction is made between a paraphilia (atypical sexual interest or behaviour) and a paraphilic disorder (a mental disorder stemming from the atypical behaviour).
The gold standard treatment of severe paraphilias in adult males is antiandrogen treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been used in mild types of paraphilia and in cases of sexual compulsions and juvenile paraphilias.
Paedophiles. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition – DSM5), paedophilia is classed as a paraphilia (an intense sexual arousal for objects atypical to sexualisation or sexual attraction) (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
A paraphilia is a condition in which a person’s sexual arousal and gratification depend on fantasizing and engaging in sexual behavior that is atypical and extreme, it can revolve around a particular object (children, animals, underwear) or around of a particular act (inflicting pain, exposing oneself). Most paraphilias are more prevalent in men.
The paraphilic disorders are unique in DSM-5, 1 in that forensic considerations played a central role in many of the proposed changes in the diagnostic criteria and accompanying text. In contrast to the disorders from almost every other DSM-5 diagnostic class, individuals with paraphilic disorders, especially in the United States, are mainly seen in forensic settings. 2 They may be persons who ...
There is a great deal of controversy concerning paraphilia, and defining what is normal versus deviant or disordered, given that this is to some degree dependent on cultural views of acceptability. In this article, we outline these issues and describe recent progress in diagnosing and treating parap …
National Center for Biotechnology Information
This review summarizes and critically examines the changes in how the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) characterizes paraphilias. Attention is paid to the diagnostic options that were included in DSM-5, the decision not to include criterion sets for two additional disorder …
Treatment generally involves helping a person deal with feelings of guilt and shame and modifying their behavior, if they wish. Medication and hormone therapy can also be used in some cases to lessen the compulsions associated with paraphilia.
Others believe that they are the result of the victim associating something with sexual arousal or having unusual early life sexual experiences reinforced by having an orgasm, some see these disorders as another form of obsessive compulsive disorder .
Treatment approaches have included traditional techniques of psychoanalysis , hypnotherapy, and behavioral therapy and recently, a class of medications called antiandrogens that dramatically reduce testosterone levels have temporarily been used in conjunction with these forms of treatment, reduce sexual desire in men, and reduces the frequency of mental images of sexually exciting scenes. This allows concentration on counseling without such a strong distraction from paraphilic impulses.
A paraphilia is a condition in which a person’s sexual arousal and gratification depend on fantasizing and engaging in sexual behavior that is atypical and extreme, it can revolve around a particular object (children, animals, underwear) or around of a particular act (inflicting pain, exposing oneself). Most paraphilias are more prevalent in men.
If left untreated, paraphilia can have serious consequences, including time in prison.
Paraphilias must be treated immediately to reverse the abnormal behaviors associated with it, which to some extent can cause the person to get in trouble with the law. The purpose of treatment is to help control and eliminate abnormal sexual thoughts and behavior, but it should be noted that it is a chronic condition and usually persists, especially in a stressful situation.
To qualify the diagnosis of a paraphilia, the individual has to experience a recurrent and significant sexual arousal for the object of his attraction, act on that attraction in impulses, fantasies or actions; and experiencing symptoms for at least six months to the point where the individual experiences significant levels of distress or interference with their work, social function, or other important aspects of life.
A paraphilia is a condition in which a person's sexual arousal and gratification depend on fantasizing about and engaging in sexual behavior that is atypical and extreme. A paraphilia is considered a disorder when it causes distress or threatens to harm someone else. A paraphilia can revolve around a particular object (children, animals, underwear) or a particular behavior (inflicting pain, exposing oneself) but is distinguished by a preoccupation with the object or behavior to the point of being dependent on that object or behavior for sexual gratification. Most paraphilias are far more common in men than in women. The focus of a paraphilia is usually very specific and unchanging.
Research suggests that cognitive-behavioral models are effective in treating paraphiliacs.
There is also a category of paraphilias—known as Other Specified Paraphilic Disorders—which encompasses behaviors not covered by the already named diagnoses, such as those involving dead people, urine, feces, enemas, or obscene phone calls.
Increasingly, the evidence suggests that combining drug therapy with cognitive behavior therapy can be effective. The level of an individual's sex drive is not consistently related to paraphiliac behavior.
Most paraphilias are far more common in men than in women. The focus of a paraphilia is usually very specific and unchanging. Paraphilias include sexual behaviors society may view as distasteful, unusual, or abnormal. The most common are pedophilia (sexual focus on children), exhibitionism (exposure of genitals to strangers), ...
Treatment approaches for paraphilias have included traditional psychoanalysis, hypnosis, and behavior therapy techniques. More recently, a class of drugs called antiandrogens that drastically lower testosterone levels temporarily have been used in conjunction with these forms of treatment.
Paraphilias. A paraphilia is a condition in which a person's sexual arousal and gratification depend on fantasizing about and engaging in sexual behavior that is atypical and extreme. A paraphilia is considered a disorder when it causes distress or threatens to harm someone else. A paraphilia can revolve around a particular object (children, ...
There is also a category of paraphilias—known as Other Specified Paraphilic Disorders—which encompasses behaviors not covered by the already named diagnoses, such as those involving dead people, urine, feces, enemas, or obscene phone calls.
Increasingly, the evidence suggests that combining drug therapy with cognitive behavior therapy can be effective. The level of an individual's sex drive is not consistently related to paraphiliac behavior.
But these sexual interests—if carried out by consenting adults— do not, in themselves, indicate a paraphilia. In order for a paraphilia to be diagnosed, the interest must be magnified to the point of psychological dependence, and must cause the individual significant distress or cause harm to a non-consenting party.
Most paraphilias are far more common in men than in women. The focus of a paraphilia is usually very specific and unchanging. Paraphilias include sexual behaviors society may view as distasteful, unusual, or abnormal. The most common are pedophilia (sexual focus on children), exhibitionism (exposure of genitals to strangers), ...
Paraphilic disorders are sexual mental health conditions that have to do with extreme or unusual sexual fantasies, urges, and behaviors. These disorders can be hard to diagnose because the symptoms vary so much from person to person.
The symptoms of a paraphilic disorder vary depending on the type that is being diagnosed. However, there are some common traits for these disorders that are:
Paraphilic disorders are sexual interests that involve unusual or atypical partners, objects, or situations. These include:
Paraphilic disorders can be caused by biological factors such as genetics and hormones, but they may also be the result of psychological trauma.
If you suffer from this disorder and need help dealing with your symptoms please don’t hesitate to talk to a professional! You must seek professional help immediately to ensure that your condition does not worsen. The earlier treatment begins, the better chance one has of overcoming these debilitating conditions.
If you or a loved one suffers from paraphilic disorders, please contact your doctor immediately. There is no need to suffer in silence and the earlier someone gets help, the better chance there is of overcoming these conditions!
Your mental health — your psychological, emotional, and social well-being — has an impact on every aspect of your life. Positive mental health essentially allows you to effectively deal with life’s everyday challenges.
A paraphilia is a condition in which a person's sexual arousal and gratification depend on fantasizing about and engaging in sexual behavior that is atypical and extreme. A paraphilia is considered a disorder when it causes distress or threatens to harm someone else. A paraphilia can revolve around a particular object (children, animals, underwear) or a particular behavior (inflicting pain, exposing oneself) but is distinguished by a preoccupation with the object or behavior to the point of being dependent on that object or behavior for sexual gratification. Most paraphilias are far more common in men than in women. The focus of a paraphilia is usually very specific and unchanging.
Research suggests that cognitive-behavioral models are effective in treating paraphiliacs.
There is also a category of paraphilias—known as Other Specified Paraphilic Disorders—which encompasses behaviors not covered by the already named diagnoses, such as those involving dead people, urine, feces, enemas, or obscene phone calls.
Increasingly, the evidence suggests that combining drug therapy with cognitive behavior therapy can be effective. The level of an individual's sex drive is not consistently related to paraphiliac behavior.
Most paraphilias are far more common in men than in women. The focus of a paraphilia is usually very specific and unchanging. Paraphilias include sexual behaviors society may view as distasteful, unusual, or abnormal. The most common are pedophilia (sexual focus on children), exhibitionism (exposure of genitals to strangers), ...