Response to Ross’s “Commentary: Problems with the Sexual Disorders Sections of DSM-5”

Abstract

The recent commentary by Ross (2015) addresses concerns regarding the newly created Paraphilic Disorders section of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, and “inconsistencies.” The author’s statements reflect notable confusion regarding issues related to human sexuality and the categories thereof in the DSM-5 (e.g., gender dysphoria and pedophilic disorder). This is a response to Ross’s commentary.

KEYWORDS:

• paraphilic disorders
• pedophilic disorder
• homosexuality
• DSM-5

Additional information

Notes on contributors

L. C. Miccio-Fonseca

L. C. Miccio-Fonseca, PhD, is director and clinical psychologist/researcher at the Clinic for the Sexualities in San Diego, California. Her clinical and research interest is working with individuals who have unconventional sexual practices as well as construction of assessment tools, which include the Personal Sentence Completion Inventory and the MEGA^♪ for assessing the risk level of sexually abusive youth (4–19 years, males and females).