{"id":33303,"date":"2016-11-09T13:02:50","date_gmt":"2016-11-09T21:02:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/?page_id=33303"},"modified":"2016-11-09T13:02:50","modified_gmt":"2016-11-09T21:02:50","slug":"paraphilia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/paraphilia\/","title":{"rendered":"Paraphilia"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"HandcuffsParaphilia<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0describes\u00c2\u00a0a sexual interest in something that is not typically considered sexually arousing. Some paraphilias focus on activities (such as spanking, binding, and whipping) while others focus on a specific erotic target (shoes, clothing, or a specific group of people).<\/p>\n

A paraphilia does not in itself indicate either a mental health condition or any criminal activity.<\/p>\n

Understanding Paraphilias<\/h2>\n

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)<\/a> defines a paraphilia as a persistent sexual interest of some intensity that focuses on something other\u00c2\u00a0than typical sexual activity\u00e2\u20ac\u201ddefined\u00c2\u00a0<\/em>as “genital stimulation or preparatory fondling”\u00e2\u20ac\u201dbetween consenting adult partners. Although it may be difficult to quantify the intensity of sexual interest, a paraphilia generally involves a sexual interest that is greater than all other sexual interests. Many people who have a paraphilia are unable to function sexually without the paraphilic behavior or target.<\/p>\n

A\u00c2\u00a0paraphilia, which is not inherently problematic or worthy of treatment, is distinct from a paraphilic disorder. The latter is described in the\u00c2\u00a0DSM\u00c2\u00a0<\/em>as a paraphilia that either causes impairment and\/or distress to the person who experiences it or poses harm, or the risk of harm, to another person. Paraphilias that lead to some manner of distress may be classified as paraphilic\u00c2\u00a0disorders.<\/p>\n

The exact causes leading to the development of paraphilias or paraphilic disorders are not known, though some experts posit that childhood sexual trauma<\/a> may play a role. Others believe certain objects or situations may become sexually arousing if they are frequently associated with pleasurable sexual activity.<\/p>\n

The prevalence of paraphilias is difficult to ascertain, as the criteria that determine them vary widely, both across cultures and over time. Research shows both that paraphilias occur with greater frequency in men and that the intensity of a paraphilia typically decreases with age.<\/p>\n

Types of Paraphilias<\/h2>\n

Because paraphilia is defined so broadly, countless paraphilias may exist, and many of them are not at all harmful or damaging. Fetishism<\/a>, for example, involves sexual arousal from an inanimate object or non-sexual body part. An individual who has a fetish for shoes may not experience distress and can act on their interest without harming anyone else. Thus, this paraphilia would not be classified as a disorder and would not involve any legal consequences. Similarly, sadomasochism\u00c2\u00a0does not present a clinical or legal concern when practiced between consenting adults who are not distressed by the practice.<\/p>\n

The DSM\u00c2\u00a0<\/em>lists eight of the most common paraphilias:<\/p>\n