Do I Have Pedophilic Disorder?

Over a period of at least 6 months, did you experience recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges or behaviors involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children (generally age 13 years or younger)?

Have you acted on these sexual urges or do the sexual urges or fantasies cause marked distress or interpersonal difficulty?

Are you at least 16 years old and at least 5 years older than the child or children in question 1? Note: Not applicable to an individual in late adolescence involved in an ongoing sexual relationship with a 12 or 13 year old.

While it is unlikely that you have pedophilic disorder, you may be displaying a sign related to it. It may be important to plan a visit to your doctor. If you did not answer ‘Yes’ to any of the questions, it is very unlikely that you have pedophilic disorder. Pedophilia can be described as recurrent and intense sexual urges, behaviors or fantasies in which a child of 13 years or younger is involved, over a period of at least six months. People who have this condition often do not seek treatment and that makes diagnosing pedophilia challenging. Pedophiles are commonly men and they can be attracted to either or both sexes.

While it is unlikely that you have pedophilic disorder, you are displaying some signs related to it. It may be important to discuss your symptoms with your doctor. To be diagnosed with the condition, you must either act on your sexual urges or the urges/fantasies must cause significant impairment. If these two criteria are not present, you may have a pedophilic sexual orientation but not a disorder. Pedophilic activities may include touching a child or watching a child undressing, oral sex or touching the genitals of the child or the offender. When someone shows extensive use of child pornography, it can be a useful sign of pedophilic disorder.

Unfortunately, you are displaying the symptoms typically seen among individuals who have pedophilic disorder. Seeking medical help is essential. Cognitive behavioral treatment is an effective method for people who suffer from pedophilic disorder. Cognitive behavioral treatment may include building victim empathy, in which videos are showed of consequences to victims and in which the offender is taught to understand the harm they are causing. Social skills training, confrontation of cognitive distortions (correction of thoughts) and surveillance systems are also effective cognitive behavioral methods. Medications can be prescribed to lower sex drive.