Paraphilia Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Paraphilia is a sexual disorder that causes sufferers to have sexual attraction other than genital stimulation. Paraphilias relate to arousal in response to sexual objects or stimuli unrelated to normal patterns of behavior that may interfere with sexual intercourse.
Paraphilia is also known as sexual deviation. Often, sufferers with this disorder hide their disorder, experience guilt and shame, have financial or legal problems, and can (sometimes) be uncooperative with medical professionals.
Symptoms
Symptoms of paraphilia vary depending on the type of sexual disorder, including:
- have a desire to see or peek at something pornographic or naked and have sexual intercourse
- showing genitals to others or in public
- touch a woman’s body without her permission
- touching genitals (usually men) to parts of a woman’s body (thighs or buttocks)
- performing extreme activities during sexual intercourse, such as covering one’s eyes, hitting, piercing, using electricity, tying, stabbing, cutting, etc.
- have sex with small children
- experiencing sexual arousal with objects such as women’s underwear, plastic, leather, rubber, shoes, hair, or even feces
- experience arousal when wearing clothes of the opposite sex
Reason
Paraphilias can occur in people with stable personalities so that family, friends and others don’t realize them. However, paraphilias usually occur together with other personality disorders, such as drug use, anxiety disorders, and so on.
The exact cause of this sexual disorder is still not known. However, some people are considered to be more susceptible to paraphilia. For example, people with impaired self-esteem, anger management, difficulty delaying gratification, poor empathy skills, and faulty knowledge.
Diagnosis
It is quite difficult to determine the diagnosis of paraphilia, especially because sufferers usually do not admit it and hide it. So it is important to form a trusting relationship with sufferers.
Determining the diagnosis of paraphilia is by using the DSM 5 manual ( Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ) and ICD 10 ( International Statistical Classification of Diseases ). There are eight disorders that are classified as paraphilias:
1. Voyeuristic
Sufferers experience recurrent and intense sexual arousal (fantasies, urges or behaviors) by observing people who are naked, in the process of undressing or engaging in sexual activity that lasts for 6 months. Patients must be at least 18 years old.
2. Exhibitionistic
Sufferers experience repeated and intense sexual arousal (fantasies, urges or behaviors) by exposing genitals to strangers. Symptoms must be present for at least 6 months.
3. Frotteuristic
Sufferers experience repeated and intense sexual arousal (fantasies, urges, or behaviors) that involve touching and rubbing against persons who do not give permission. Symptoms must be present for at least 6 months.
4. Sexual masochism
Sufferers experience intense, recurrent sexual arousal (fantasies, urges, or behaviors) that involve acts (real, not simulated) of being humiliated, beaten, tied up, or made to suffer. Symptoms must be present for at least 6 months.
5. Sexual sadism
Sufferers experience repeated and intense sexual arousal (fantasies, urges, or behaviors) from the psychological or physical suffering of another person. Symptoms must be present for at least 6 months.
6. Pedophilic
Sufferers have recurrent and intense sexual fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors that involve sexual activity with children or prepubescent children (generally ≤13 years). Symptoms must be present for at least 6 months.
The victim is at least 16 years old and at least 5 years older than the victim; those in their late teens who were involved in ongoing sexual relationships with children aged 12 or 13 were excluded.
7. Fetishistic
Sufferers experience recurrent and intense sexual arousal (fantasies, urges, or behaviors) either from the use of inanimate objects or from a very specific focus on non-genital body parts. Symptoms must be present for at least 6 months.
Fetish is not limited to women’s clothing used in cross-dressing (as in transvestic disorder ) or devices designed for genital stimulation (eg, vibrators).
8. Transvestic
Sufferers experience repeated and intense sexual arousal (fantasies, urges, or behaviors) from cross-dressing. Symptoms must be present for at least 6 months.
Treatment
Treatment for paraphilia varies and can be a combination of the following measures:
- psychotherapy: cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills, groups, 12-step programs, and orgasmic reconditioning
- Medications: anti-depressants, hormones, anti-androgens, mood stabilizers, SSRIs
- surgery: stereotaxic dichotomy and limbic leukotomy