This impairment can occur in any important aspect of an individual's life such as social, occupational, recreational or family. Paraphilias do not refer to the normal use of sexual fantasy, activity or objects to heighten sexual excitement where there is no distress or impairments. The most common signs of sexual activity which can be classified as paraphilias include, the inability to resist an impulse for the sexual act, the requirement for participation of non-consenting or under aged individuals, legal consequences, resulting sexual dysfunction, and interference with normal social relationships. A paraphiliac often has more than one paraphilia. Paraphilia often results in a variety of associated problems, such as guilt, depression, shame, isolation, and impairment in the capacity for normal social and sexual relationships.
Paraphilias can, and often do, become highly idiosyncratic and ritualized.
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