14
Sexual Dysfunctions,
Gender Dysphoria, and
Paraphilic Disorders
© Cengage Learning 2016 © Cengage Learning 2016
, What is “Normal” Sexual Behavior?
• Understanding what is normal
– Important when classifying or diagnosing
sexual problems and behaviors
• Difficult to determine what is normal
– Example: people report tremendous variation
in frequency of sexual outlet or release
– Influenced by cultural norms and values
• Definitions of sexual disorders are inexact
© Cengage Learning 2016
, Defining Sexual Behavior as a Mental
Disorder
• Controversy surrounding definition of
deviant sexual behavior
– Some argue that sexual behavior is only
deviant if it threatens society, causes distress
to participants, or impairs social or
occupational functioning
– Greater controversy regarding whether
gender dysphoria should be considered a
psychiatric disorder
© Cengage Learning 2016
, The Sexual Response Cycle
• Appetitive phase
– Characterized by person’s interest in sexual
activity
• Arousal phase
– May follow or precede the appetitive phase
– Heightened when specific, direct sexual
stimulation occurs
– Various physical changes occur
• Example: increased blood flow to penis in males
© Cengage Learning 2016
Sexual Dysfunctions,
Gender Dysphoria, and
Paraphilic Disorders
© Cengage Learning 2016 © Cengage Learning 2016
, What is “Normal” Sexual Behavior?
• Understanding what is normal
– Important when classifying or diagnosing
sexual problems and behaviors
• Difficult to determine what is normal
– Example: people report tremendous variation
in frequency of sexual outlet or release
– Influenced by cultural norms and values
• Definitions of sexual disorders are inexact
© Cengage Learning 2016
, Defining Sexual Behavior as a Mental
Disorder
• Controversy surrounding definition of
deviant sexual behavior
– Some argue that sexual behavior is only
deviant if it threatens society, causes distress
to participants, or impairs social or
occupational functioning
– Greater controversy regarding whether
gender dysphoria should be considered a
psychiatric disorder
© Cengage Learning 2016
, The Sexual Response Cycle
• Appetitive phase
– Characterized by person’s interest in sexual
activity
• Arousal phase
– May follow or precede the appetitive phase
– Heightened when specific, direct sexual
stimulation occurs
– Various physical changes occur
• Example: increased blood flow to penis in males
© Cengage Learning 2016
