paraphilia
Paraphilia refers to intense sexual interests or fantasies that deviate from what is typically considered normal. These interests may involve unusual objects, situations, or individuals, and can include behaviors such as fetishism, voyeurism, or sadomasochism. While many people may have paraphilic interests, they only become a concern when they cause distress or harm to oneself or others.
In clinical settings, paraphilias are often categorized into two groups: those that are non-consenting and those that are consenting. Non-consenting paraphilias, such as exhibitionism or pedophilia, can lead to legal issues and psychological harm. In contrast, consenting paraphilias, like BDSM, involve mutual agreement and can be part of healthy sexual relationships.