Paraphilic Disorders

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**Paraphilic Disorders** are recurrent, intense, sexually arousing fantasies, urges or behaviors that are distressing and disabling. They often involve inanimate objects, children or non-consenting adults, animals, or suffering to oneself or to a partner.

Just because some sexual activities seem unusual to another individual, that does not mean the activities are paraphilic. Individuals can have paraphilias but they might not meet the criteria for a paraphilic disorder.

### Paraphilic Disorders vs Paraphilias

The term paraphilia was first introduced into the DSM-III to replace the DSM-II term "sexual deviation". The DSM-5 redefined the term paraphilia so that it now refers to a persistent, intense, atypical arousal pattern independent of whether it causes any distress or impairment.

Most individuals with atypical sexual interests do not have a paraphilic disorder. To be diagnosed with a paraphilic disorder, the DSM-5 requires that the individual with these interests:

* Feel personal distress about their interests, not merely distress resulting from society's disapproval.
* Have a sexual desire or behavior that involves another individual's psychological distress, injury or death, or a desire for sexual behaviors including unwilling individuals or individuals unable to give legal consent.

## Types of Paraphilic Disorders

Both the ICD-10 and the DSM-5 include eight specific paraphilic disorders.

### Exhibitionistic Disorder

Exhibitionistic Disorder is when one exposes genitals to an unsuspecting individual or performs sexual acts that can be watched by others.

### Frotteuristic Disorder

Frotteuristic Disorder is when one touches or rubs against a non-consenting individual.

### Voyeuristic Disorder

Voyeuristic Disorder is when one has urges to observe an unsuspecting individual who is naked, undressing or engaging in sexual activities, or in activities deemed to be of a private nature.

### Fetishistic Disorder

Fetishistic Disorder is the use of inanimate objects to gain sexual excitement.

### Pedophilic Disorder

Pedophilic Disorder is the sexual preference for prepubescent children.

### Sexual Masochism Disorder

Sexual Masochism Disorder is when one wants to be humiliated, beaten, bound or otherwise made to suffer for sexual pleasure.

### Sexual Sadism Disorder

Sexual Sadism Disorder is when pain or humiliation of another individual is sexually pleasing.

### Transvestic Fetishism

Transvestic Fetishism is when one is aroused from clothing associated with members of the opposite sex.

### Other Specified Paraphilic Disorder

Other Specified Paraphilic Disorder is when one closely fits a paraphilic disorder, but does not fit the full diagnostic requirements. They may be considered "close enough" to a condition to be diagnosed.

## References

https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-gb/professional/psychiatric-disorders/paraphilic-disorders/overview-of-paraphilic-disorders

https://www.psychiatry.org/File%20Library/Psychiatrists/Practice/DSM/APA\_DSM-5-Paraphilic-Disorders.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3769077/

http://jaapl.org/content/42/2/191