|
Pedophilia
Category
Paraphilias
and Sexual Disorders
Etiology
A
large percentage of individuals with this disorder were sexually abused as
children, although the vast majority of adults who were abused do not
develop pedophilia or pedophilic behaviors. There is also those who
argue pedophilia results from feelings of inadequacy with same age
peers, and therefore a transfer of sexual urges to children.
Symptoms
This
disorder is characterized by either intense sexually arousing fantasies,
urges, or behaviors involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child
(typically age 13 or younger). To be considered for this diagnosis, the
individual must be at least 16 years old and at least 5 years older than
the child.
Treatment
Treatment
typically involves intensive psychotherapy to work on deep rooted issues
concerning sexuality, feelings of self, and often childhood abuse. Medical
treatments such as chemical castration (which is actually a hormone
medication which reduces testosterone and therefore sexual urges) have
been investigated with very mixed results.
Prognosis
Prognosis
varies, although it is typically good if the individual has insight into
his behaviors and his own childhood issues. Combined with an antisocial
personality (which is usually what is seen on the news or in movies),
however, treatment prognosis declines, sometimes significantly.
|
