Week 11: Gender Dysphoria, Paraphilic Disorders, And 118639

Week 11 Gender Dysphoria Paraphilic Disorders And Sexual Dysfunctio

Explain the diagnostic criteria for the sexual dysfunction of female orgasmic disorder.

Explain the evidenced-based psychotherapy and psychopharmacologic treatment for the sexual dysfunction of female orgasmic disorder.

Compare differential diagnostic features of gender/sexual disorders.

Support your rationale with references to the Learning Resources or other academic resource.

Paper For Above instruction

Sexual health and functioning are integral components of overall well-being, encompassing a range of physiological, psychological, and social factors. Among these, female orgasmic disorder (FOD) is a prevalent sexual dysfunction characterized by persistent or recurrent delay in, or absence of, orgasm following a normal sexual excitement phase, despite adequate sexual stimulation and arousal. Understanding its diagnostic criteria, evidenced-based treatments, and the differential diagnostic features of related gender and sexual disorders is essential for effective clinical intervention.

Diagnostic Criteria for Female Orgasmic Disorder

According to the DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association, 2013), female orgasmic disorder is characterized by either of the following symptoms experienced for at least six months, across most occasions of sexual activity, causing significant distress: (1) marked delay in, marked infrequency of, or absence of orgasm following a normal sexual excitement phase; (2) markedly reduced intensity of orgasmic sensations. The disturbance must not be attributable to other unrelated medical conditions, substance use, or the effects of medications (e.g., antidepressants). Importantly, the criterion emphasizes that the disorder causes clinically significant distress or interpersonal difficulty, which highlights the importance of patient-centered assessment (Sadock, Sadock, & Ruiz, 2014).

Evidence-Based Psychotherapy and Pharmacologic Treatments

Therapeutic approaches targeting female orgasmic disorder encompass psychotherapeutic modalities, primarily cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), sexual counseling, and mindfulness-based strategies. CBT aims to address anxieties, negative beliefs, and cognitive distortions about sexuality, fostering a more positive sexual self-image and reducing performance anxiety (Gabbard, 2014). Sexual counseling often involves psychoeducation about sexual response, arousal, and the importance of communication with partners. Mindfulness techniques promote present-moment awareness, which can reduce performance pressure and enhance orgasmic response (Levenson & Grady, 2016).

Pharmacologically, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are typically associated with sexual dysfunction, including delayed or absent orgasm, thus often contraindicated in cases of FOD. Conversely, medications such as bupropion, an atypical antidepressant, have been found to have a lower incidence of sexual side effects and may even enhance sexual desire and functioning (Stahl, 2014). Furthermore, interest in the use of testosterone therapy remains exploratory, with some evidence suggesting it may improve orgasmic frequency in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder, but it is not specifically indicated for FOD (Johnson, Shipherd, & Walton, 2016).

Comparison of Differential Diagnostic Features of Gender/Sexual Disorders

The differential diagnosis of sexual and gender disorders involves distinguishing between various conditions with overlapping features. For example, female orgasmic disorder differs from general sexual desire disorders, as the latter manifest primarily as a lack of desire, whereas FOD involves specific difficulties with orgasm despite adequate arousal. Additionally, conditions such as vaginismus—characterized by involuntary pelvic muscle spasms making penetration painful or impossible—must be differentiated from FOD, which involves the absence or delay of orgasm but not necessarily pain or physical barriers (Sadock et al., 2014).

Gender dysphoria, distinguished from sexual dysfunctions like FOD, entails a discordance between assigned gender and experienced gender, leading to significant distress or impairment, and involves identity-related issues rather than physiological sexual response deficits (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Furthermore, paraphilic disorders are characterized by recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies or behaviors involving atypical objects or situations, contrasting with FOD's focus on the inability to reach orgasm (Gabbard, 2014).

Conclusion

The assessment and treatment of female orgasmic disorder require a comprehensive understanding of its diagnostic criteria, effective psychotherapy options, and pharmacologic interventions. Differentiating FOD from other sexual and gender-related disorders is crucial for targeted treatment planning. Employing evidence-based practices, including CBT, mindfulness, and appropriate medication management, can significantly improve sexual satisfaction and overall quality of life for affected individuals. Continued research into pharmacotherapies, such as the potential benefits of testosterone and innovations in psychotherapy, remains vital for advancing clinical care in sexual health.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
• Gabbard, G. O. (2014). Gabbard’s treatment of psychiatric disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publications.
• Johnson, L., Shipherd, J., & Walton, H. M. (2016). The psychologist’s role in transgender-specific care with U.S. veterans. Psychological Services, 13(1), 69–76. https://doi.org/10.1037/ser
• Levenson, J. S., & Grady, M. D. (2016). The influence of childhood trauma on sexual violence and sexual deviance in adulthood. Traumatology, 22(2), 94–103. https://doi.org/10.1037/trm
• Sadock, B. J., Sadock, V. A., & Ruiz, P. (2014). Kaplan & Sadock’s synopsis of psychiatry: Behavioral sciences/clinical psychiatry (11th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
• Stahl, S. M. (2014). Prescriber’s Guide: Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology (5th ed.). Cambridge University Press.