Pedophilic Disorder

Pedophilic disorder involves recurrent, intense sexual fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving prepubescent children, causing distress or functional impairment. Etiology includes neurodevelopmental, genetic, and psychosocial factors. Clinically, patients demonstrate sexual interest in children, sometimes with risk of offending behavior. Diagnosis is clinical, requiring assessment of distress, functional impact, and risk management, differentiating from nonoffending attractions. Management includes psychotherapy, behavioral interventions, relapse prevention, and pharmacotherapy in severe cases.