Pedophilia

Pedophilia is a preference for sexual activity with pre-pubertal children. Pedophilia often leads to imprisonment; medical management should include drugs and psychotherapy.

Most pedophiles are male. Attraction may be to young boys, girls, or both. in most cases, the adult is known to the child and may be a family member, stepparent, or a person with authority (eg, a teacher).

Long-term individual or group psychotherapy is usually necessary and may be especially helpful when it is part of multimodal treatment that includes social skills training, treatment of co-morbid physical and mental disorders (eg, seizure disorders, attention deficit disorder, depression), and drug treatment. Anti-androgen drugs may be beneficial in some patients.