The 8 types of paraphilias: their classification and characteristics.

A classification of the types of paraphilias: the main forms of atypical sexual arousal.

Sexuality is an extremely broad concept, but even so, there are a number of generalities that apply to most of it.

However, some behaviors or thoughts escape that bulk. That is where paraphilias come in, a phenomenon we will address here. In the following lines you will find a summary of the main types of paraphiliasThe following lines are a summary of the main types of paraphilias, with a classification of the main forms that can adopt this type of behaviors.

How to classify paraphilias?

Although the main objective of this text is to be able to make a compendium of the different types of paraphilia, it is necessary that we stop for a moment to analyze in greater depth what exactly this concept refers to, which we have all heard at some time but whose definition may not be entirely clear.

Therefore, it is necessary for us to define, first of all, what a paraphilia is. A paraphilia is a form of sexual behavior of some individuals in which the excitement does not come from the act itself, but in activities or elements that by themselves would not have to be stimulating at a sexual level..

In this sense, it should be noted that some behaviors that in the past were considered some types of paraphilia, today are common sexual practices in a large percentage of the population, such as masturbation or oral sex. Others, however, have remained atypical forms of sexual arousal.

Even so, there is no closed list of types of paraphilia, there is no closed list of types of paraphilia, as it depends to a large extent on the criteria used to classify them.. Likewise, different subtypes could be derived from each type, and from them, many specific paraphilias, which can take very particular forms depending on the person, so that the list, if considered in an extensive way, could be endless.

In any case, the criteria we will follow in this article in order to list the various types of paraphilia is that of the diagnoses associated with paraphilia contemplated in the DSM-5, the diagnostic classification manual of the American Psychiatric Association.

The 8 types of paraphilia according to DSM-5

The DSM-5, among many other psychological disorders, contemplates eight main forms of atypical or inappropriate sexual arousal, i.e. types of paraphilia. Within these eight, two large groups could be established. One of them would include those in which the anomaly is located in the object of arousal, and the other in the behavior necessary to achieve arousal.

Below we will describe each of the types of paraphilia included in the DSM-5, but not before remembering that this is not the only possible classification, but only one of them, and that it is also subject to possible changes in perception and diagnosis that may be made with the passage of time.

1. Voyeurism disorder

The first in the list of types of paraphilia covered by the DSM-5 refers to voyeurism disorder, or in other words, to sexual arousal from observing other people while they are undressing or even having intimate relations, without their knowing that others are watching them..

This diagnostic manual specifies that, for this condition to be met, the individual who finds voyeurism arousing must be of legal age and must have been experiencing this desire for at least six months. In addition, another criterion to be met is to have practiced voyeurism at least once, or that the desire is causing suffering that interferes in some facet of his life.

2. Disorder of exhibitionism

Another type of paraphilia found in the DSM-5 is exhibitionism disorder. In contrast to the previous one, in this case the excitement does not come from seeing other people naked, but from others seeing one's own intimate areas, without consent, i.e., in a sudden and sudden way.that is to say, in a sudden way.

The DSM-5 also makes a distinction between types of exhibitionism, depending on whether the person in question is aroused by showing his or her genitals to adults, to children, or to all types of people, regardless of age or sexual maturity.

Likewise, establishes as criteria to have suffered this desire for a minimum of six months and to have practiced it once or to suffer discomfort due to the irrepressible desire.. These criteria will be repeated in all types of paraphilia disorders, according to the diagnostic manual.

3. Froteurism disorder

Another type of paraphilia that we find in this list is the froteurism disorder. This word comes from French and refers to the action of rubbing. And it is precisely the rubbing against others (with one's own genital area) in a way that is unexpected for them and without their consent. This type of action usually takes place in crowded spaces, such as some types of public transportation..

In addition, this form of paraphilia can occur in combination with others, which means that the person who is aroused by rubbing may also be aroused by other types of paraphilia that we are describing here.

4. Sexual masochism disorder

One of the best known types of paraphilia, and one that is included in the APA diagnostic manual, is sexual masochism disorder. In this case, individuals with this condition find sexual arousal primarily in those intimate acts in which they are humiliated, caused Pain or lack of control..

These people may enjoy situations in which they are tied up, beaten or tortured in order to have sex. Among the types of paraphilia, this one stands out for being the one that is diagnosed to more women than any other type of paraphilia.

5. Sexual sadism disorder

In contrast to the previous one, there is the disorder of sexual sadism, which would be the one within the types of paraphilia that would fit as the opposite of masochism. In this case, the person who has this diagnosis, is aroused by being the one who dominates, humiliates and even causes pain to the other person, while having intimate relations with the other person..

These individuals enjoy tying up their sexual partners and maintaining absolute control of the situation, making them see it. It is the suffering of the other throughout the sexual act that motivates the arousal of these people.

6. Pedophilia disorder

Continuing with the types of paraphilia, we come to pedophilia disorder, consisting of sexual arousal with children. To fit this diagnosis, the DSM-5 establishes as criteria to be at least 16 years of age, that the sexual victim is at least 5 years younger than the offender, and to have experienced such paraphilia for at least 6 months.

People who fit into this category usually have a very clear preference as to the type of victim who arouses their sexual arousal.l. In addition, some studies indicate that it is precisely victims of childhood sexual abuse who may be more likely to abuse others in the future.

7. Fetishism disorder

The case of fetishism disorder represents one of the broadest types of paraphilia, since technically it refers to sexual arousal due to a specific element that is present during sexual acts, but it can be of a very diverse scope.. It can refer to a specific type of clothing, both in him and in his sexual partner.

It can also refer to the use of certain objects or elements during intercourse. It can even refer to the excitement when getting intimate with people who have very specific physical characteristics, and may even be bodily alterations.

The extension of the term fetish is so wide that it is complicated to establish certain limits when considering what is and what is not one of these elements and therefore what belongs to this category within the types of paraphilia we are reviewing.

8. Other specified or unspecified paraphilic disorder

The last of all the types of paraphilia, it would actually be two different categories in the DSM-5. The first refers to another type of specified paraphilic disorder, i.e., one that can be described and recorded in some way, while the other option alludes to some paraphilic disorder that is not actually specified.

Therefore, this diagnostic manual leaves the category open for cases in which the psychologist is faced with a person who clearly displays sexual behavior that could be framed as one of the types of paraphilia but not of those with a specific category in the DSM-5, but of a different one.

Bibliographical references:

• American Psychiatric Association (2014). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5.
• De Dios Blanco, E. (2017). Paraphilic disorder: clinical characteristics of male patients seen by Clinical Sexology. Journal of the Psychiatric Hospital of Havana.
• First, M.B. (2014). DSM-5 and paraphilic disorders. The journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law.
• Morrison, J. (2015). DSM-5® Guía para el diagnóstico clínico. Manual Moderno.