Simulated paraphilias: a preliminary study of patients who imitate or exaggerate paraphilic symptoms and behaviors

J Forensic Sci. 1992 May;37(3):902-11.

Abstract

In a consecutive series of admissions to the Johns Hopkins Sexual Disorders Unit, 4 out of 20 patients appeared to have simulated paraphilic symptoms that further assessment indicated were either exaggerated or not present. The paper presents case histories of these 4 patients. A descriptive comparison is made between these patients and control groups of patients who admitted having paraphilic symptoms and a group of patients accused of having paraphilic symptoms but who denied them. Patients who simulated paraphilias tended to be self-referred (75%) and without current legal charges (100%). None of these patients was referred or sought treatment for pedophilia, in contrast to the other two patient groups, in which pedophilia accounted for 75% of the referrals. Several possible explanations for why patients might simulate paraphilias and implications for therapists who evaluate or treat sex offenders are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Exhibitionism / complications
  • Exhibitionism / psychology*
  • Hallucinations / complications
  • Homosexuality / complications
  • Homosexuality / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Malingering / complications
  • Paraphilic Disorders / complications
  • Paraphilic Disorders / psychology*
  • Pedophilia / complications
  • Pedophilia / psychology*
  • Schizophrenia / complications*