Parahpilias?

[Alex Bragi]

Great post and thread, Annie! A very interesting read, and the responses too.

Yes, certainly my fantasies and urges were far more stressful before I understood and acknowledged them. I used to worry constantly that I was some kind of freak but really I was just ignorant. It’s like when I was kid, I used to worry about if and when I got married how would I manage to sneak away to masterbate.*gg*

It’s crazy really when you think about it that people are thought of as “mentally ill” simply because their thinking, emotions, or behaviour are contrary to what others considered acceptable and mainstream. I mean, so long as a person is capable of thinking logically, clearly and with a degree of empathy surely it’s totally unfair to say they’re suffering from ‘metal illness’ just because they choose a different lifestyle.

[catsclaw-01]

Alex I agree people jump to conclusions primarily due to ignorance of what they are judging. It takes courage to break out and go against the main stream. Happy paddling.....LOL

[gloombunny]

It’s crazy really when you think about it that people are thought of as “mentally ill” simply because their thinking, emotions, or behaviour are contrary to what others considered acceptable and mainstream.

Not by any reputable psychologist.

"must interfere with either satisfactory sexual relations or everyday functioning if the diagnosis is to be made" means what it says. Mainstream psychology these days generally doesn't consider anything to be a disorder unless it causes maladaptive behaviors. Eccentricity or unusual tastes that don't cause problems in your life are perfectly healthy.

[alpha_Straye]

Not by any reputable psychologist.

"must interfere with either satisfactory sexual relations or everyday functioning if the diagnosis is to be made" means what it says. Mainstream psychology these days generally doesn't consider anything to be a disorder unless it causes maladaptive behaviors. Eccentricity or unusual tastes that don't cause problems in your life are perfectly healthy.

i agree. i could be wrong but i think it may be that the mental disorder has the kinky stuff as it's chossen window dressing rather than saying that the alternate sexuality and lifestyle itself is a disorder. it's is the inability to function that makes it a disorder rather than the form of the outlet of that disorder. (making my own head hurt with that one)

uh.. like if someone had to wear a blue dress in order to be able to make themselves eat.. wearing blue dresses isnt a disorder, even if you're a man. liking it, getting off on it, even wanting to do it all the time, there's nothing wrong with that. it's having to base one's ability to eat on something so specific and external... which is a real problem if the world runs out of blue dresses *smile*. starving to death for lack of a specific article of clothing would indicate a little bit of a problem.

or at least that was my take on it *shrugsmile*