Per DSM-5, what is the minimum criterion that distinguishes a paraphilia from a paraphilic DISORDER requiring clinical intervention?
- A Any atypical sexual interest is automatically a paraphilic disorder
- B The paraphilia must be present for at least 1 year
- C The paraphilia must involve a non-consenting person or cause significant distress or functional impairment ✓
- D The paraphilia must involve a minor
Explanation
DSM-5 distinguishes paraphilia (an atypical sexual interest that is not inherently pathological) from paraphilic disorder (which requires that the paraphilia causes personal distress, functional impairment, or involves harm/non-consent of others). Consensual adults with mutual atypical sexual interests who experience no distress are not considered to have a disorder. This distinction decriminalises consensual atypical sexuality while maintaining clinical relevance for non-consensual paraphilias (e.g., paedophilic disorder, voyeuristic disorder targeting non-consenting adults) and those causing significant personal distress. Duration criterion is 6 months for most paraphilias, not 1 year.
Reference: Kaplan & Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 11th ed.
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