Pedophilia – the diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties

This article is an attempt to present the available definitions of pedophilia, mainly from a clinical perspective, showing the differences between current classifications of mental diseases and disorders in the understanding of that phenomenon. Currently binding – from 2013 – the fifth version of the classification of mental disorders from the American Psychiatric Association DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), has made some changes - mainly concerning the name - of the discussed disorder. Therefore, the diagnostic difficulties and resulting therapeutic indications for people with pedophilia are discussed.

This article is an attempt to present the available definitions of pedophilia, mainly from a clinical perspective, showing the differences between current classifications of mental diseases and disorders in the understanding of that phenomenon. Currently binding – from 2013 – the fifth version of the classification of mental disorders from the American Psychiatric Association DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), has made some changes - mainly concerning the name - of the discussed disorder. Therefore, the diagnostic difficulties and resulting therapeutic indications for people with pedophilia are discussed.