Sexual Disorders Flashcards
Sexual orientation: disordered or not?
Not disordered
Homosexuality is no longer considered by the DSM to be a disorder
Gender dysphoria characteristics
Mismatch between one’s perceived gender and actual gender (feel as if born into wrong body)
Strong desire to be rid of one’s own sex characteristics
Can begin in childhood- puberty is torture as person develops into gender that he/she doesn’t want to be
Gender dysphoria is not…
Sexual orientation
Sexual attraction
Cross dressing in and of itself
Desire for privilege/esteem that accompanies other sex
Intersex (presence of indiscriminate sex organs)
Gender dysphoria epidemiology
0.01% lifetime prevalence: very rare disorder
2:1 male to female
Age of onset: puberty or earlier
30-50% project into adulthood: other 50-70% are either going through phase or suppress their feelings
Gender dysphoria causes/contributors
Vastly unknown (perhaps too much testosterone in girls or not enough in boys?) Possibly genetics or social factors
Gender dysphoria treatment
Most common: sex-reassignment
3 steps:
1. Must undergo evaluation to determine that this isn’t just a phase and that person is ready to change gender
2. Hormone therapy: spend about 2 years living as opposite gender while taking hormones
3. Surgical alteration
75% report satisfaction (relief rather than elation), but other 25% still struggle with identity
Sexual dysfunctions: desire-related
Female sexual interest/arousal disorder: woman has either fear of sex or lack of interest
Male hypoactive sexual desire disorder: man has lack of interest in sex
Sexual dysfunctions: arousal-related
Female sexual arousal disorder: woman can’t achieve or maintain lubrication
Male erectile disorder: man can’t achieve or maintain an erection
Sexual dysfunctions: orgasm-related
Female orgasmic disorder: woman can’t orgasm
Delayed ejaculation disorder
Premature ejaculation
Sexual dysfunctions: pain-related
Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder
Genital pain during sex
Paraphilic disorders
Person gains arousal from things that don’t normally cause arousal
Can have multiple paraphilic arousals, but usually 1 is primary
Can sometimes achieve arousal without object/activity, but often need it for arousal
People with these disorders often feel guilt for their activities
Frotteuristic disorder
Person gains sexual arousal by touching or rubbing against a non-consenting (or unknowing) person
Often occurs when person is in a crowded place and person ends up rubbing another person nearby
Often considered sexual assault
More common in males than females
Voyeuristic disorder
“Peeping Tom” disorder
Person gains sexual arousal by observing an unsuspecting individual who is naked, disrobing, or engaged in sexual behavior for arousal
Must be at least 18 years old
More common in males than females
Exhibitionistic disorder
Person gains sexual arousal by exposing their genitals to unsuspecting strangers (flashing)
Driving forces: sense of showing off, sense of developing relationship with person who sees genitals
More common in men than women
Sexual masochism disorder
Person is aroused by having pain inflicted upon him/her
Specifier: with asphyxiophilia (arousal through being choked)
More common in males than females
