Paraphilia and paraphilic disorder in the DSM-5
Abstract
This article deals with the question, what influence the criteria for paraphilic disorders in the fifth edition of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5) published in May 2013 can have for the treatment of individuals who have committed a sexual offense or who are at risk of becoming a sexual offender. It is hypothesized that there are notable risks in comparison with the criteria of the DSM-IV-TR. After presentation of the changes the article focuses on the mixing of paraphilic sexual interests with criminal behavior, the construction of the immutability of paraphilic interests and the “in a controlled environment/in remission” specifiers as well as possible implications for therapy and commitment. The author concludes that he doubts the success of the desired depathologization compared to the DSM-IV-TR criteria and instead sees significant risks in the definition of the DSM-5 criteria.