Lesson 1: Clinical Disorders – Part E

Introduction

Sexual Disorders and Gender Dysphoria

Sexual disorders can be categorized into paraphilias and sexual dysfunctions. In paraphilias, sexual arousal occurs predominantly because of an inappropriate desire for objects, individuals, situations, or sensations. This desire is considered abnormal when it affects individuals negatively. For example, if a person is sexually aroused by wearing neon green socks (a type of fetish) and is not troubled by it, then he or she would not have a sexual disorder. If the person is disturbed by the behaviour, however, he or she would have a sexual disorder. Also, if another person is harmed by the behaviour, the behaviour would be considered disordered and, in some situations, illegal (e.g., pedophilia, voyeurism, exhibitionism). Criminal laws exist to protect the victims of such behaviours.