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Abstract

Analysis of the diagnostic criteria and text in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fourth edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) leads the author to conclude that (1) personality disorders and paraphilias are separate, independent diagnoses, (2) deviant sexuality need not be either obligatory or exclusive for a person to meet criteria for a diagnosis of paraphilia not otherwise specified (NOS) (nonconsenting), (3) either antisocial personality disorder or paraphilia NOS could serve as the qualifying disorder for civil commitment of a sexually violent predator (SVP), and (4) whether a person meets criteria for civil commitment as an SVP must be determined on a case-by-case basis rather than by cursorily considering the person's psychiatric diagnosis.

Keywords

Paraphilia paraphilia NOS paraphilia NOS (nonconsenting)sexually violent predator civil commitment sex offender DSM-IV-TR personality disorder personality disorder NOS psychiatric diagnosis

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References

American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association

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