The paraphilias are a type of sexual interest (i.e., urges, fantasies, behaviors) that are not limited to genital stimulation or fondling between mature, consenting human partners (APA, 2022). Paraphilias may be limited to private thoughts and feelings, or they may involve acting out the urges and fantasies that involve other, nonconsenting individuals

Psychiatric care settings may provide the greatest opportunity for nurses to view and respond to the symptoms and distress of human sexual dysfunction; nurses and nursing students must first become aware of their own… This classification of sexual interest is controversial as a psychiatric disorder, but when the urges or fantasies are enacted by an individual on another, nonconsenting individual, they may have dire legal consequences.

sexual dysfunction — person’s inability to respond sexually to mental or physical stimulation or to experience sexual pleasure. gender dysphoria — personal, distressing disconnect between one’s gender identity and their sex assigned at birth. paraphilias — a type of sexual interest (i.e., urges, fantasies, behaviors) that are not limited to genital stimulation or fondling between mature, consenting human partners (APA, 2022. paraphilia — sexual desire or behavior involving inanimate objects or nonconsenting other persons, or including subjugation.