Overview of Paraphilic Disorders (Paraphilias) By George R Brown, MD, East Tennessee State University Reviewed / Revised Apr 2021 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Paraphilic disorders are recurrent, intense, sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviors that are distressing or disabling and that involve inanimate objects, children or nonconsenting adults, or suffering or humiliation of oneself or the partner with the potential to cause harm.