paraphilia
/ˌpɛrəˈfɪliə/
noun
- A condition involving intense sexual attraction to unusual objects, activities, or situations, often considered atypical or outside social norms.
- Some forms of paraphilia are illegal because they involve non-consenting individuals.
- The diagnosis of paraphilia requires that the behavior causes distress or harm.
- Psychologists study paraphilia to understand unusual patterns of sexual behavior.