Defining Paraphilia in DSM-5: Do Not Disregard Grammar

• Published in: Journal of sex & marital therapy Vol. 37; no. 1; pp. 17 - 31
• Main Author: Hinderliter, Andrew C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Taylor & Francis Group 01-01-2011; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Biological and medical sciences; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Humans; Medical sciences; Mental Disorders - classification; Mental Disorders - diagnosis; Nosology. Terminology. Diagnostic criteria; Paraphilic Disorders - classification; Paraphilic Disorders - diagnosis; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Sexual behavior disorders. Psychogenic sexual dysfunctions; Subject Headings; Techniques and methods; Terminology as Topic; Vocabulary; Human; Sexual perversion; Sexual behavior disorder; Language; Criterion; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual V; Critical study; Diagnosis
• ISSN: 0092-623X; 1521-0715
• DOI: 10.1080/0092623X.2011.533567

Blanchard (
2009a
,
2009b
,
2009c
) proposed a definition of paraphilia for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-5, delimiting a range of so-called normative sexuality and defining paraphilia as any intense and persistent sexual interest other than that. The author examines the wording and intended meaning of this definition, and he argues that there are many problems with it that "correct" interpretation requires ignoring what it says. Because of these problems and the possibility of civil commitment under sexually violent predator/person laws on the basis of a diagnosis of paraphilia NOS, caution and careful consideration of grammar and wording is urged in drafting a definition for paraphilia for DSM-5.