Pedophilia can sometimes be a taboo topic. But it's often in the headlines. How is it treated by the medical community? Here are answers from sexologist Ray Blanchard, PhD, adjunct professor at the University of Toronto. What is a pedophile? A pedophile is a person who has a sustained toward children, generally aged 13 or younger, Blanchard says. Not all pedophiles are child molesters or vice versa. Does the medical community consider pedophilia to be a mental disorder? The American Psychiatric Association APA has included pedophilia in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders since 1968. Can pedophilia be treated? Although most experts do not think a person's feelings of pedophilia are curable, therapy may help them manage those feelings and not act on them. Some patients at high risk of committing sexual offenses may need to reduce their , Blanchard says. Are pedophiles only attracted to children? Some pedophiles may be as attracted to adults as they are to children, but it's hard to know how common that is. Continued Is pedophilia more common among men or women? Pedophilic disorder is far more common among men than women, Blanchard says. Can pedophilia develop in an adult who had been attracted to adults? Are pedophiles typically attracted to children of the opposite sex, same sex, or is there no particular pattern? Most pedophiles have a definite preference for one or the other. But it's tough to estimate the percentage of pedophiles who are heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual in their attraction to children, Blanchard says. What would you want people to know about the stereotypes about pedophiles? Some pedophiles embrace and try to justify their sexual orientation. Others recognize that the idea of approaching a child in real life is morally wrong; they can be frustrated, isolated, lonely, depressed, and anxious, Blanchard says. He suggests starting with a family practitioner, although it may take several rounds of referrals. Or search for a therapist in your city. Most areas of North America have mandatory reporting laws that override patient confidentiality. SOURCES: Ray Blanchard, PhD, chair, paraphilias subworkgroup, sexual and gender identity disorders work group for DSM-5; adjunct professor, psychiatry department, University of Toronto; affiliate scientist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto. News release, American Psychiatric Association. © 2012 WebMD, LLC.
