The Malleability of Sexual Pleasure - 'Paraphilias'

F1000Prime Rep. 2013; 5: 36.; Published online 2013 September 2. doi: 10.12703/P5-36

Paraphilias: definition, diagnosis and treatment

"PMCID: PMC3769077

Abstract

"There is a great deal of controversy concerning paraphilia, and defining what is normal versus deviant or disordered, given that this is to some degree dependent on cultural views of acceptability. In this article, we outline these issues and describe recent progress in diagnosing and treating paraphilias."

"Conclusion

"Delineating what is normal versus deviant or disordered sexuality is one of the biggest challenges when using the term paraphilia. The definitions under paraphilia within the DSM have been highly debated and highly controversial [22], and, given the lack of change to definitions and diagnostic criteria in the real sense, this would seem set to continue. The malleability of sexual pleasure across time and cultures creates problems for those defining and diagnosing paraphilia and the efficacy of treatment of paraphilias synonymous with sexual offending is inconclusive. The ability to imprison and/or commit an individual based on their future “dangerousness” using a mental disorder or psychiatric criterion as justification [35,36] may potentially violate due process rights [37]. At the heart of the issues still lies the much debated question: “what justifies the classification of a source of sexual pleasure or a type of sexual activity as a mental disorder” ([22] p.195)?"

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

http://f1000.com/prime/reports/m/5/36

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20358463

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19690325

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1409028