Paraphilic Disorders

Paraphilic disorders, also known as paraphilias, consist of eight clinically diagnosed disorders characterized by abnormal or unusual sexual partialities that cause significant impairment to the [Page 1195]individual or others involved. Clinically significant distress can be experienced in the areas of work, social, or personal functioning. When paraphilic acts include illegal activities and/or the violations of others, it is not required that the individual with the paraphilic disorder experience significant clinical distress. Examples of distress or impairment can include job loss, marital difficulties, lack of sleep, or legal ramifications stemming from certain desires, fantasies, or engagement in paraphilic behaviors. Common paraphilic preferences include nonconsenting individuals, objects or nonhuman animals, and humiliation or suffering. This entry introduces and briefly explains the criteria required for each paraphilic disorder ...