Abstract:

“Paraphilia” consists of a combination of the words “para” meaning “beside, aside” and “philia” which means “love”. Paraphilias have been controversial subjects in the mental health field in terms of defining what can be considered normal versus disordered or deviant behavior. In part, this is related to changes in sexual norms over time and between cultures. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10), a medical classification list by the World Health Organization specifically did not provide a definition for paraphilia. For this reason, the manual where we look for the definition for paraphilia that is used worldwide is DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). In the first DSM (DSM-1), which was published in 1952, the paraphilias were considered as a type of sociopathic personality disorder and they changed over time in terms of section, definition and diagnosis criteria. In the current form of DSM which is called DSM-5 manual, "paraphilic disorders" are classified separately. This current study investigates the etiology, diagnostic criteria of paraphilias and factors causes changes in DSM guidelines. Also, the journey of paraphilias will be reviewed throughout all the manuals from DSM-1 to DSM-5 (DSM-1, DSM-2, DSM-3, DSM-3R, DSM-4TR and DSM-5).

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