Paraphilias are frequent, intense, sexually arousing fantasies or behaviours that involve inanimate objects, children or non-consenting adults, or suffering or humiliation of oneself or the partner.
Paraphilic disorders are paraphilias that cause distress or cause problems functioning in the individual with the paraphilia or that harm or may harm another individual.
There are many paraphilias, and the focus of the paraphilia may be a variety of objects, situations, animals, or individuals (such as children or non-consenting adults). Sexual arousal may depend on the use or presence of this focus. Once these arousal patterns are established, usually in late childhood or near puberty, they are often lifelong.
Some degree of variety in sexual activity is very common in healthy adult sexual relationships and fantasies.
When individuals mutually agree to engage in them, unusual sexual behaviours that cause no harm may be part of a loving and caring relationship.
However, when sexual behaviours cause distress or harm or interfere with an individual’s ability to function in daily activities, they are considered a paraphilic disorder.
The distress may result from other people’s reactions or from the individual’s guilt about doing something socially unacceptable.
Paraphilic disorders can seriously impair the capacity for affectionate, reciprocal sexual activity.
Partners of people with a paraphilic disorder may feel like an object or as if they are unimportant or unnecessary in the sexual relationship.
The most common paraphilic disorders are
Others include sexual masochism disorder and sexual sadism disorder.
Most individuals with paraphilias are men, and many have more than one type of paraphilia.
Some of them also have a severe personality disorder, such as antisocial personality disorder or narcissistic personality disorder.
Some paraphilias, such as paedophilia, are against the law.
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