Pedophilia No Longer Deemed an “Orientation” in DSM-V
Author: Roslyn Myers.
Source: Volume 15, Number 02, February/March 2014 , pp.17-17(1)
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Abstract:
Central to the adult psychiatric disorders of pedophilia and pedophilic disorder is a primary sexual interest toward prepubescent children. Although the diagnostic criteria in DSM-IV and V do not use the term “orientation,” the most recent Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) erroneously defined pedophilia as a sexual “orientation,” generating a torrent of outraged comment. The American Psychiatric Association acknowledged the error and assured professionals that the manual would be corrected in the online version immediately and in future print versions.Keywords: Pedophilia; DSM-V; “interest” v. “disorder”
Affiliations:
1: John Jay College and Fordham Law School.