Lesson 1: Clinical Disorders – Part E

To summarize:

• Sexual disorders can be categorized into paraphilias and sexual dysfunctions.

• Paraphilias
In paraphilias, sexual arousal occurs predominantly because of an inappropriate desire for objects, individuals, situations, or sensations.

• Sexual dysfunctions
People with sexual dysfunctions have difficulty performing adequately when having sex. They can experience problems with either desire or arousal.

• Sexual dysfunctions can result from psychological factors, physical and/or biological factors, and/or the interaction of psychological factors with physical and/or biological factors.

• Sexual orientation is an enduring emotional, romantic, sexual, or affectional attraction to another person. Sexual orientation exists along a continuum that ranges from exclusive homosexuality to exclusive heterosexuality and includes various forms of bisexuality.

• There are numerous theories about the origins of a person’s sexual orientation; most scientists today agree that sexual orientation is most likely the result of a complex interaction of environmental, cognitive, and biological factors.

• Human beings cannot choose to be either gay or straight. Sexual orientation emerges for most people in early adolescence without any prior sexual experience.

• Psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals agree that homosexuality is not an illness, mental disorder, or an emotional problem. Over 35 years of objective, well-designed scientific research has shown that homosexuality is not associated with mental disorders or emotional or social problems.

• Can Therapy Change Sexual Orientation? No. Although most homosexuals live successful, happy lives, some homosexual or bisexual people may seek to change their sexual orientation through therapy, sometimes pressured by the influence of family members or religious groups. The reality is that homosexuality is not an illness. It does not require treatment and is not changeable.

• Why is the “Coming Out” Process Difficult for some Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual People? Often lesbian, gay, and bisexual people feel afraid, different, and alone when they first realize that their sexual orientation is different from the community norm. This is particularly true for people becoming aware of their gay, lesbian, or bisexual orientation as a child or adolescent.

• Unlike the majority of people, individuals with gender identity disorder are discontent with their gender. They feel they really are the other gender – despite what their reproductive organs indicate. They feel trapped in the body of the wrong gender.