Absolutely….and juveniles are usually diagnosed with a “Sexual Disorder NOS (not otherwised specified). The DSM-V is coming out next year and there will be many changes to the sexual disorders categories. And that is only one of many facets of this issue that need improvement and clarification!

Thanks again for sharing…

Nancy B. Irwin, PsyD, C.Ht. Psychotherapy/Clinical Hypnosis Speaker/Author

THank you, Michael, for your great comments and support. You are right about the origins of deviant behavior, however, one cannot be diagnosed as a pedophile until the age of 18. And yes, I totally agree that treating juveniles at the first inkling of inappropriate behavior is crucial to prevent further abuse. Again, thanks for being a concerned citizen! Best of Health, Dr. Nancy

Dr. Nancy, I was not under the impression that we were speaking exclusively about pedophiles. It seems your post was about people who molest children, which includes both pedophiles and non-pedophiles, and certainly includes juveniles. In any case, if a diagnosis of pedophilia can be made for 18- and 19-year-olds then “early 20s” can be replaced with “late teens.” But I think the psychology profession is remiss in requiring someone to be at least 18 in order to be diagnosed with pedophilia. Certainly a 12-year-old who is sexually obsessed with pre-schoolers, or a 15-year-old who is molesting pre-adolescents, has some form of diagnosable sexual disorder, and needs intervention, no matter what label is or is not used.
Regards, Michael

Thanks, Jackie, for your comments. I am so sorry for your husband’s poor treatment. There ARE places for those in his position to turn to for help BEFORE they act out on their deviant thoughts/fantasies. I work for one: Pacific Professional Associates (PPA) in Van Nuys (Los Angeles), CA. We have people come in on a voluntary basis and, yes, of course as a mental health professional I am mandated to report any admission/commission of sex crimes, however, we are NOT mandated to report thoughts/fantasies/inappropriate attractions. Perhaps your husband was the victim of an over-zealous, angry therapist who misunderstood his/her responsibilities.

It takes a very brave person to, in spite of the shame, admit to this proclivity and seek treatment to manage it. Hopefully our words here will help people just like that!

I wish you both well in your healing. Best of Health, Dr. Nancy

IF they knew where to turn???? As far as I know there IS no where they can turn. I would like to know what the Good Doctor has to say to this question:

How many instances of molestation could we PREVENT if these people could go to any mental health professional and say they are having urges, and/or thoughts towards children that they KNOW are not normal and healthy, and expect to receive therapy instead of prison time.

After my husband’s arrest, I tried everything I could to find help for him. I hit a brick wall every where I turned, and every single mental healthcare professional I spoke to told me the same thing. If he’d come to them BEFORE they would have had to turn him in. People are generally protective of themselves and would not see being put in prison for many years as the answer to their problem, so I don’t see too many looking for or asking for help. This has got to change if we expect to truly prevent this from happening.

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