314 Pedophilia - Dr. Sharmila Majumdar - Sexologist Psychoanalyst in Hyderabad
Covid-19 Impact on sexual health
May 9, 2020
Theme - World Sexual Health Day 2020
Sexual Pleasure in Times of Covid-19
September 5, 2020
Show all

Pedophilia

Several experts see it as a biologically rooted condition that does not change. However the most of the medical fraternity views it as a paraphilia, a psychiatric illness (pedophilic disorder). As of now DSM-5 has identified pedophilia as a disorder and as a sexual & mental health specialist I am bound to follow the latest scientific opinion.

There is no cure, so the focus is on protecting children.
Pedophilia, the sexual attraction to children who have not yet reached puberty, remains a vexing challenge for clinicians. Classified as a paraphilia, an abnormal sexual behavior, researchers have found no effective treatment. Like other sexual orientations, pedophilia is unlikely to change. The goal of treatment, therefore, is to prevent someone from acting on pedophilic urges – either by decreasing sexual arousal around children or increasing the ability to manage that arousal. But neither is as effective for reducing harm as preventing access to children, or providing close supervision.

The exact causes of pedophilia have not been conclusively established. Some studies of pedophilia in child sex offenders have correlated it with various neurological abnormalities and psychological pathologies

  • No intervention is likely to work on its own; outcomes may be better when the patient is motivated and treatment combines psychotherapy and medication.
  • Parents should be aware that in most sexual abuse cases involving children, the perpetrator is someone the child knows.

Nearly all people with pedophilic tendencies are male. Studies of child molesters have reported that only 1% to 6% of perpetrators are female. Co-occurring disorders, such as personality disorders or mood disorders, are common in people with pedophilic tendencies. And about 50% to 70% of people with pedophilic tendencies are also diagnosed with another paraphilia, such as exhibitionism, voyeurism, or sadism.

Most psychotherapies used to treat pedophilia incorporate the principles and techniques of cognitive behavioral therapy. The focus of therapy is to enable the patient to recognize and overcome rationalizations about his behavior. In addition, therapy may involve empathy training and techniques in sexual impulse control. Most important behaviour therapy used is Relapse prevention

  • Relapse prevention is intended to help the patient anticipate situations that increase the risk of sexually abusing or assaulting a child, and to find ways to avoid or more productively respond to them
  • testosterone suppression offers advantages such as the need for follow-up visits (which aids in monitoring behavior). It may take 3 to 10 months for testosterone suppression to reduce sexual desire.
  • SSRIs may be a useful adjunct to other treatments, because they not only subdue sexual ruminations and urges but also help with impulse control.

Finally I’m in favor of treatment to spare kids the physical and psychological trauma. It doesn’t matter whether it is nature or nurture unless it helps in quality treatment.

Dr Sharmila Majumdar
MS Human Sexuality, PhD cbt
Fellowship from Ichan school of Medicine, Mount Sinai, USA
Director and Chief Sexologist
Sexual and mental health clinic , Avis Hospital

Consult Online – Click Here

Digital-Business-Card-Dr.-Sharmila-Majumdar

doctorsharmila
Dr. Sharmila Majumdar is the First Female Sexologist in India, who specializes in Female & Male Sexual Dysfunction & Mental Health. Her professional experience comprises of National and International Consultations, co-authoring a Medical Handbook on “Male Infertility and Andrology”, Journal Publications, Presentations as a guest faculty at National & International Conferences on Sexology, Endocrinology, Gynecology & Psychology. She is also a Guest lecturer in several medical colleges in India. Dr. Sharmila Majumdar has also won an award for the best Presentation in Female Sexual Dysfunction in the National Conference of Sexology in 2008. She is also a columnist in leading local newspapers. She is a guest editor and a contributor in several medical portals and magazines. Dr. Sharmila Majumdar has rich experience of 11 years in the area of Sexual & Mental Health. She has successfully treated hundreds of patients globally. Her primary motto is optimal Sexual & Mental Health in Men and Women. She is up-to-date with the latest advancement in the emerging field of Sexual & Mental Health for the well-being of her patients. She strongly believes in the right to Physical, Sexual and Mental wellness. DR. SHARMILA MAJUMDAR IS AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION AT AVIS HOSPITAL, SEXUAL & MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC, HYDERABAD – 500033, TELENGANA, INDIA

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You cannot copy content of this page