tressed. Such individuals may still be diagnosed with pedophilic disorder despite the absence
of self-reported distress, provided that there is  evidence of recurrent behaviors persisting for
6 months (Criterion A) and evidence that the individual has acted on sexual urges or experi-
enced interpersonal difficulties as a cons equence of the disorder (Criterion B).
Presence of multiple victims, as discussed above, is su fficient but not necessary for di-
agnosis; that is, the individual can still meet  Criterion A by merely acknowledging intense
or preferential sexual interest in children. 
The Criterion A clause, indicating that the signs or symptoms of pedophilia have per-
sisted for 6 months or longer, is  intended to ensure that the sexual attraction to children is
not merely transient. However, the diagnosis ma y be made if there is  clinical evidence of
sustained persistence of the sexual attraction to children even if the 6-month duration can-
not be precisely determined.
Associated Features Supporting Diagnosis
The extensive use of pornography depicting prepubescent children is a useful diagnostic
indicator of pedophilic disorder. This is a specific instance of the general case that individ-
uals are likely to choose the kind of pornography  that corresponds to their sexual interests.
Prevalence
The population prevalence of pedophilic disorder is unknown.  The highest possible prev-
alence for pedophilic disorder in the male population is approximately 3%–5%. The pop-
ulation prevalence of pedophilic disorder in females is even more  uncertain, but it is likely
a small fraction of the prevalence in males.