Sexual Disorders and Paraphyllia (Abnormal Psychology)

What are the four stages of the sexual response cycle?

Appetitive phase, arousal phase, orgasm phase, and resolution phase.

What happens during the appetitive phase?

Interest in sexual activity, thoughts or fantasies about sex, and attraction to another person.

What happens during the arousal phase?

Heightened arousal from stimulation, increased blood flow to the penis, or blood engorgement in the genital region.

What happens during the orgasm phase?

Involuntary muscle contractions and release of sexual tension.

What happens during the resolution phase?

The body relaxes, and heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing return to normal.

What is the general definition of a sexual dysfunction?

A recurrent and persistent disruption of any part of the normal sexual response cycle.

How often must symptoms occur for many sexual dysfunction diagnoses?

75–100% of the time during sexual activity.

How long must symptoms last for many sexual dysfunction diagnoses?

6 months or longer.

What does lifelong mean for sexual dysfunctions?

The problem has been present throughout the person’s sexual life.

What does acquired mean for sexual dysfunctions?

The problem develops after earlier successful sexual experiences.

What does generalized mean for sexual dysfunctions?

The problem occurs in nearly all situations.

What does situational mean for sexual dysfunctions?

The problem occurs only with certain partners, situations, or types of stimulation.

What criteria distinguish sexual interest/arousal disorder?

Lack of or significantly reduced sexual interest/arousal, shown by at least 3 symptoms.

What are examples of reduced interest/arousal symptoms?

Reduced interest, fantasies, initiation, pleasure, response to cues, or genital/nongenital sensations.

When should reduced sexual desire not be diagnosed as a disorder?

When it is better explained by someone’s self-identification as asexual.

What criteria distinguish erectile disorder?

Inability to obtain an erection during sexual activity or maintain it until completion.

Why can acquired erectile problems be medically important?

They may indicate a health condition such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

What helps distinguish biological vs. psychological causes of erectile problems?

Presence or absence of nocturnal penile tumescence.

What suggests sexual problems are more likely psychological?

The problem is situational, occurs with certain partners or situations, or nocturnal penile tumescence is still present.

What psychological factors may contribute to sexual disorders?

Anxiety disorders, poor relationship, partner’s sexual problem, performance anxiety, trauma, misinformation, negative beliefs, and body dissatisfaction.

What is performance anxiety?

Anxiety about failing sexually, being judged, orgasm, or penis size, leading to self-monitoring or the spectator role.

What criteria distinguish female orgasmic disorder?

Persistent delay, inability to orgasm despite adequate stimulation, or reduced orgasmic intensity.

When is female orgasmic disorder not diagnosed according to the slides?

If the woman can achieve orgasm through clitoral stimulation.

What criteria distinguish delayed ejaculation?

Persistent delay or absence of ejaculation, even with full arousal.

What criteria distinguish premature ejaculation?

Ejaculation within about 1 minute before, during, or after vaginal penetration and before the person wishes.

What criteria distinguish genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder?

Persistent difficulty with penetration, pelvic pain, fear/anxiety about pain, or pelvic floor tightening.

What is the DSM-5 definition of paraphilic disorders?

Intense and persistent sexual interest in non-normative targets for at least 6 months.

When is a paraphilia diagnosed as a disorder?

When it harms or risks harming others and is acted on, or causes distress or social impairment.

What kinds of targets or situations are paraphilic disorders associated with?

Nonhuman objects, nonconsenting others, or real/simulated suffering or humiliation.

What is the difference between paraphilic behavior and a paraphilic disorder?

Behavior alone is not a disorder unless it causes harm, risk, distress, or impairment.

What criteria distinguish fetishistic disorder?

Recurrent intense arousal from nonliving objects or a highly specific focus on nongenital body parts.

What are examples linked to fetishistic disorder?

Shoes, undergarments, feet, or toes.

What criteria distinguish transvestic disorder?

Recurrent intense sexual arousal from cross-dressing, shown by fantasies, urges, or behaviors.

When does cross-dressing not count as this disorder?

When the person merely enjoys cross-dressing or is transgender and dressing according to their gender identity.

What criteria distinguish exhibitionistic disorder?

Recurrent intense arousal from exposing one’s genitals to an unsuspecting person.

What reaction is usually sought in exhibitionistic disorder?

Surprise or sexual arousal; sexual contact is usually not sought.

What criteria distinguish voyeuristic disorder?

Recurrent intense arousal from observing an unsuspecting person who is naked, disrobing, or engaging in sexual activity.

At what age can voyeuristic disorder be diagnosed?

Only in people age 18 or older.

Which paraphilia is described as the most common?

Voyeuristic disorder.

What criteria distinguish frotteuristic disorder?

Recurrent intense arousal from touching or rubbing against a nonconsenting person.

Where is frotteuristic behavior often reported?

Public transportation.

What criteria distinguish sexual masochism disorder?

Recurrent intense arousal from being humiliated, beaten, bound, or otherwise made to suffer.

What criteria distinguish sexual sadism disorder?

Recurrent intense arousal from the physical or psychological suffering of another person.

What criteria distinguish pedophilic disorder?

Recurrent intense fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving sexual activity with prepubescent children, generally under age 13.

How old must the person be for pedophilic disorder diagnosis?

At least 16 years old and at least 5 years older than the child.

What is the typical course of pedophilic disorder?

Generally chronic.

Who is most often diagnosed with pedophilic disorder?

Predominantly men.

Who are the typical victims when people act on pedophilic urges?

Children known to the person, often relatives, friends, or casual acquaintances.

Can the attraction in pedophilic disorder be toward boys, girls, or both?

Yes, it may be toward boys, girls, or both.

Who has higher recidivism according to the slides?

Those with sexual interest in children only.

What victimization rates are listed in the slides?

By age 17, 15% of girls and 6% of boys have been molested through genital touching or penetration.

What early experiences are linked to paraphilias?

Early exposure to sex, sexual violence, or a history of being sexually victimized.

What learning process may contribute to paraphilias?

Accidental associations between sexual arousal and certain situations, acts, objects, or fantasies.

What treatment approaches are mentioned for people who committed sexual offenses?

Motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and relapse prevention.