Paraphilic Disorder
Part of Society
The Skinny and Scarry
What is Paraphillia?
the following 8 specific paraphilic disorders[1] :
Voyeuristic disorder
Exhibitionistic disorder (including type I, the inhibited flaccid exposer, and type II, the sociopath exposer who may have a history of other conduct)
Frotteuristic disorder
Sexual masochism disorder
Sexual sadism disorder
Pedophilic disorder
Fetishistic disorder
Transvestic disorder
Treatment
The various paraphilic disorders affect a wide variety of people. The level of severity, distress, and impairment (up to and including criminal behavior) resulting from these disorders also are highly variable. Consequently, treatment options vary and must take into account the specific needs of each individual case.
Treatment options may include psychotherapy, individual psychotherapy, group therapy, marital therapy, and family therapy, as well as pharmacotherapy or even surgical interventions, as indicated.
Inpatient treatment is indicated for patients who are suicidal, homicidal, or disabled to the point where they cannot take care of themselves. Suicide risk is high if they feel exposed or confronted. If patients are charged with a crime or have been arrested, they may be incarcerated. (WebMD., 2014)
Transvestic Disorder Symptoms
Though not necessary, this disorder can occur with fetishism (the person is sexually aroused by materials, garments, or fabrics) or with autogynephilia (the person is sexually aroused by thoughts or images of oneself as a female).
If a person has had a history of this disorder but it has not caused distress or impairment within the past 5 years, the person would be considered “in remission”(DSM-5,2013)
Diagnosis
Paraphilic disorders must be distinguished from nonpathologic use of sexual fantasies, behaviors, or objects as stimuli for sexual excitement. Studies that may be considered in the assessment of a patient with a paraphilic disorder include the following:
Standard medical workup, including sequential multiple analysis, complete blood count, rapid plasma reagent, and thyroid-stimulating hormone level or thyroid function test
HIV screen
Hepatitis panel
Unscheduled DNA synthesis
Computed tomography (CT)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Penile strain gauge
Abel assessment for interest in paraphilia
Phallometric testing
Electroencephalography (EEG)
Myth: People with pedophilia have sex with children.
Reality: People who are sexually attracted to children and have sex with children are pedophiles. However, there is a much larger percentage of individuals who have pedophilic fantasies, yet never disclose or execute them. These thoughts tend to create enormous distress, and society’s standard of deeming pedophiles as an exclusive, sick-minded population, only heighten the suffering. Most people fail to understand that these individualsknow their thoughts are sickening and wrong, yet they cannot stop them. Paraphilias refer to sexual fantasies or urges related to non-human objects or non-consenting persons; other ones include exhibitionism, voyeurism, sexual masochism, and sexual sadism. These are all mental disorders, not just a set of fantasies individuals choose to enjoy. In fact, paraphilias are often very tormenting and detrimental to an individual’s self-esteem and intimate relationships, and treatment is far more complicated than simply changing one’s thoughts.
How to Chose a Certified Therapist
Paraphilic Disorder (2014). In American Psychological Association. Retrieved November 2, 2014, from http://www.apa.org/search.aspx?query=paraphilic%20disorder
Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2014). Abnormal psychology (6th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.