Paraphilic Disorder
Are You Affected?
Whats Paraphilic Disorder?
Paraphilic Disorders are problems with controlling impulses that are characterized by recurrent and intense sexual fantasies, urges, and behaviors involving unusual objects, activities, or situations not considered sexually arousing to others.
Characteristics
Most people with atypical sexual interests do not have a mental disorder. To be diagnosed with a paraphilic disorder, DSM-5 requires the people with these interests:
- Feel personal distress about their interest, not merely distress resulting from society's disapproval; or
- have a sexual desire or behavior that involves another persons distress, injury, or death, or a desire for sexual behaviors involving unwilling persons or unwilling persons unable to give legal consent.
(Paraphilic Disorders, n.d.)
Exhibitionism
Exhibitionism is characterized by intense, sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving exposure of the individual's genitals to an unsuspecting stranger. The individual with this problem, sometimes called a "flasher," feels a need to surprise, shock, or impress his victims.
Pedophilia
People with pedophilia have fantasies, urges, or behaviors that involve illegal sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children (generally age 13 years or younger). Pedophilic behavior includes undressing the child, encouraging the child to watch the abuser masturbate, touching or fondling the child's genitals and forcefully performing sexual acts on the child. Some pedophiles are sexually attracted to children only (exclusive pedophiles) and are not attracted to adults at all.
Fetishism
People with fetishes have sexual urges associated with non-living objects. The person becomes sexually aroused by wearing or touching the object. For example, the object of a fetish could be an article of clothing, such as underwear, rubber clothing, women's shoes, women's underwear, or lingerie.
Treatment for Your Troubles
Most paraphilic disorders are treated with counseling and therapy. Medications may help to decrease the compulsiveness associated with paraphilia and reduce the number of deviant sexual fantasies and behaviors. In some cases, hormones are prescribed for individuals who experience frequent occurrences of abnormal or dangerous sexual behavior. Many of these medications work by reducing the individual's sex drive. (WebMD, 2014)
Sources
Paraphilias. (2014, January 1). Retrieved September 15, 2014, from http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/guide/paraphilias-overview
Paraphilic Disorders. (n.d.). Retrieved September 15, 2014, from file:///C:/Users/Christopher/Downloads/Paraphilic Disorders Fact Sheet.pdf