Paraphilia
Paraphilia
Social Work and Social Welfare HSV-140-01
April 4, 2012
Most people have some knowledge or experience with mental illness, but not as many people are familiar with Paraphilia. This is a condition that involves sexual fetishes where one’s sexual arousal and gratification depend on fantasizing about, and engaging in, sexual behavior that is atypical and extreme (Kafka, 2010). This behavior may be centered on objects such as people, clothing, or toys; as well as certain acts like; beating, nudity, or even making obscene phone calls. There are several different types of paraphilia, over 500, which generally lie in two different categories psychosexual disorders and NOS (not otherwise specified) paraphilias. Although paraphilia has been studied for quite some time, there is still little knowledge on the cause of this condition as well as determining a successful treatment. Categorization of paraphilia first came into history in the late 1800s. The first terms used to describe this condition were sodomy and perversion. Later, in the first two editions of the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) manual, the term sexual deviation was used. In 1980 the term paraphilia was presented in the DSM-III (Kafka, 2010). Since the discovery of paraphilia, classification has been a major area of focus. Determining which types of this condition can be considered psychiatric disorders is ever changing in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The difficulty lies in deciding what type of sexual behavior is normal and what is not. In the past homosexuality was considered a form of paraphilia and it was classified as so in the DSM. Today it is regarded as a variant of normal sexuality. Also toys, sexual role-play, and different aspects of some fetishes which are considered normal adult entertainment have often been confused with this condition (Carroll, 2010). There is also trouble with deciphering whether certain types of
Social Work and Social Welfare HSV-140-01
April 4, 2012
Most people have some knowledge or experience with mental illness, but not as many people are familiar with Paraphilia. This is a condition that involves sexual fetishes where one’s sexual arousal and gratification depend on fantasizing about, and engaging in, sexual behavior that is atypical and extreme (Kafka, 2010). This behavior may be centered on objects such as people, clothing, or toys; as well as certain acts like; beating, nudity, or even making obscene phone calls. There are several different types of paraphilia, over 500, which generally lie in two different categories psychosexual disorders and NOS (not otherwise specified) paraphilias. Although paraphilia has been studied for quite some time, there is still little knowledge on the cause of this condition as well as determining a successful treatment. Categorization of paraphilia first came into history in the late 1800s. The first terms used to describe this condition were sodomy and perversion. Later, in the first two editions of the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) manual, the term sexual deviation was used. In 1980 the term paraphilia was presented in the DSM-III (Kafka, 2010). Since the discovery of paraphilia, classification has been a major area of focus. Determining which types of this condition can be considered psychiatric disorders is ever changing in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The difficulty lies in deciding what type of sexual behavior is normal and what is not. In the past homosexuality was considered a form of paraphilia and it was classified as so in the DSM. Today it is regarded as a variant of normal sexuality. Also toys, sexual role-play, and different aspects of some fetishes which are considered normal adult entertainment have often been confused with this condition (Carroll, 2010). There is also trouble with deciphering whether certain types of
References: Berger, V. (n.d.). List of Paraphilias. Psychologist Anywhere Anytime. Retrieved March 27, 2012, from http://www.psychologistanywhereanytime Carroll, J. L., & Wolpe, P. R. (2010). Sexuality now: embracing diversity. Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. Developed by, R. h. (2010). Pedophilia. CRS - Behavioral Health Advisor, 1. Fedoroff, J. (2008). Sadism, Sadomasochism, Sex, and Violence. Canadian Journal Of Psychiatry, 53(10), 637-646. Kafka, M. P. (2010). The DSM Diagnostic Criteria for Paraphilia Not Otherwise Specified. Archives Of Sexual Behavior, 39(2), 373. doi:10.1007/s10508-009-9552-0 Masochism. (2011). Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition, 1. Paraphilia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved March 12, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraphilia