Paraphilias in the Dsm-5

Posted: 30 Mar 2016

See all articles by Anthony R. Beech

Anthony R. Beech

University of Birmingham - School of Psychology

Michael H. Miner

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities - Department of Family Medicine and Community Health

David Thornton

Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center

Date Written: March 2016

Abstract

This review summarizes and critically examines the changes in how the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) characterizes paraphilias. Attention is paid to the diagnostic options that were included in DSM-5, the decision not to include criterion sets for two additional disorders (paraphilic coercive disorder and hypersexual behavior disorder), and the further decision not to modify the diagnosis of pedophilic to pedohebephilic disorder. The three most significant changes are (a) the move to distinguish paraphilias from paraphilic disorders (allowing unusual sexual interests to be studied by researchers but only regarded as disorders when they cause distress or dysfunction), (b) introducing criteria describing paraphilic disorders as being in remission (when they no longer cause distress or dysfunction), and (c) clarifying the relationship between behavior and paraphilias. Concerns are noted about the forensic use of diagnoses and the lack of funding for field trials in this revision of the DSM. Suggestions are given for future directions in order to further research efficacy and clinical diagnosis.

Suggested Citation

Beech, Anthony R. and Miner, Michael H. and Thornton, David, Paraphilias in the Dsm-5 (March 2016). Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, Vol. 12, pp. 383-406, 2016, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2756444 or http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-021815-093330

Anthony R. Beech (Contact Author)

University of Birmingham - School of Psychology ( email )

Edgbaston
Birmingham B15 2TT
United Kingdom

Michael H. Miner

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities - Department of Family Medicine and Community Health ( email )

Minneapolis, MN 55455
United States

David Thornton

Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center ( email )

1111 N Rd
Mauston, WI 53948
United States

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