Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders Described in the DSM IV-TR

By Laura Harbeson

 

The American Psychiatric Association (2000) has identified a number of mental health disorders that relate to human sexuality and gender. Below, you’ll find a list of some of these disorders, along with a brief description of what they are. Although these disorders are relatively rare, people who experience them may benefit from medical and/or mental health treatment.

 

Due to the fact that the sexual and gender identity disorders listed below should be diagnosed and treated by either a medical or mental health professional, please seek such assistance if you are concerned that you may be demonstrating symptoms that are common to one or more of the conditions listed below. This document was not designed to assist in self-diagnosis, but instead for informative purposes only.

 

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: Lack of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity with the result of difficulties in personal relationships.

 

Sexual Aversion Disorder: An extreme lack of desire for sexual activity resulting in avoiding sexual contact with sexual partner and marked with difficulties in personal relationships.

 

Female Sexual Arousal Disorder: An inability to biologically respond to and maintain genital lubricant and swelling through sexual activity.

 

Male Erectile Disorder: An inability to biologically respond to and maintain an adequate erection through sexual activity.

 

Male/Female Orgasmic Disorder: An absence of, or delay in orgasm following a normal sexual excitement phase.

 

Premature Ejaculation: Ejaculation with minimal sexual stimulation, before, on, or shortly after penetration and before the person wishes it.

 

Dysparuenia: Recurrent or persistent genital pain associated with sexual intercourse in either a male or a female.

 

Vaginismus: Recurrent or persistent involuntary spasm of the muscles of the outer third of the vagina that interferes with sexual intercourse.

 

 

Exhibitionism: Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors which involve the exposure of one’s genitals to an unsuspecting stranger.

 

Fetishism: Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving the use of nonliving objects.

 

Frotteurism: Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving touching and rubbing against a nonconsenting person.

 

Pedophilia: When an individual is at least age 16 and at least 5 years older than the child or children, over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children (generally age 13 years or younger).

 

Sexual Masochism: Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving eh act (real, not stimulated) of being humiliated, beaten, bound, or otherwise made to suffer.

 

Sexual Sadism: Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving acts (real, not simulated) in which the psychological or physical suffering (including humiliation) of the victim is sexually exciting to the person.

 

Transvestic Fetishism: Over a period of at least 6 months, in a heterosexual male, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving cross-dressing (with or without discomfort with gender role or identity).

 

Voyeurism: Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving the act of observing an unsuspecting person who is naked, in the process of disrobing, or engaging in sexual activity.

 

Gender Identity Disorder: A strong and persistent cross-gender identification with the repeated desire to be, or insistence that he or she is the other sex.

 

 

 

Reference:

 

American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4^th ed.)—Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR). Washington, DC: Author.