CHAPTER  11

Sexual Variants, Abuse, and Dysfunctions

Chapter 11 opens with an introduction discussing the enormous variability within and between cultures in sexual practices and attitudes - particularly homosexuality, which is not viewed in DSM-IV as a mental disorder. The chapter then covers three separate sections that are related to sexual behavior: sexual variants, sexual abuse, and sexual dysfunctions. The first of the three sections on sexual behavior discusses paraphilias, in which unusual objects, rituals, or situations have become centrally important to the person's full sexual satisfaction. It also discusses gender identity disorders, in which the person strongly rejects his or her biological sex and wishes to be of the opposite sex. Some of these behaviors are considered minor criminal offenses--e.g., exhibitionism or voyeurism--as well as being included as mental disorders in DSM-IV. The next section treats the major crimes of sexual abuse: childhood sexual abuse, pedophilia, incest, and rape. Only one of these (pedophilia) is listed as a mental disorder in DSM-IV, though the victims of the crimes are, of course, at increased risk for mental disorders. The last section concerns the sexual dysfunctions. These are problems that may interfere with an individual's full enjoyment of sexual relations. The sexual dysfunctions are not mental disorders but are simply problems that interfere with full sexual enjoyment and are readily treated.

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