Paraphilic Infantilism - Research Paper Example

? Paraphilic Infantilism Introduction Paraphilic infantilism is a type of a disease typified by the wish or desire of wearing diapers due to other reasons apart from need for medical attention. In addition, a person suffering from this condition feels that he wants to receive infant treatment. The person suffering from this disease can also make use of his desires on daily basis. A diaper lover is a person who gets involved in the sexual or erotic acts of diaper wearing and does not experience regression from his fellow community members. An adult baby is a person who involved in the youngsters’ play of desiring to receive treatment like a youngster. A person who may suffer from both infantilistic actions can be referred to as an Adult Baby or Diaper Lover (Draven, 2010). Psychiatrists have not yet known the cause of Adult Baby Syndrome and there are quite undoubtedly differences within the cause of this syndrome. Certainly, quite a number of young men seek for adult babies to smack them, punish them, and advise them on their behaviors and make them to understand that they act like bad boys. The desire of adults wanting to get treatment as young kids is perhaps a spectrum condition that manifests itself mostly in men, heterosexuals, homosexuals and women (Pate & Gabbard, 2003). This paper will discuss in detail, the causes of the condition, its prevalence, assessment as well as treatment. The paper will also demonstrate how the condition diverts from the normal human development. Diagnosis/Definition According to Bergman (2011), Paraphilic infantilism, also called adult baby syndrome is the propensity characterized by the wish to dress up like a child in diapers and playing out body fantasies. Many people who suffer from adult baby syndrome prefer to get shame or humiliation and be degraded from the partners who take care of them rather than failing to fulfill their desires. Paraphilic infantilism, which mainly occurs in males, happens to occur due to a deep disturbing fear of women and sexual adulthood. However, many Infantilists seem to be functioning well and carrying out their daily duties without struggling. Paraphilic infantilism can also occur due to the desire or wish to wear diapers as an indication of role or responsibility. The role-play may involve acting and behaving like a toddler, young child or an infant. In this sense, those who suffer from Paraphilic infantilism are masochistic, assuming that the role of a baby involves surrendering control and status (Grey, 2011). One extreme of this disorder comprise the fantasy of being an infant or small child, adorable, sexually innocent, and powerless. The infant fantasy might comprise of baby clothes, diapers, and toys to help describe the infant's role. In the end, the infant might drift off to sleep in a soft crib. Additionally, the other extreme is the erotic lover. The lover fantasy would center on diapers as fetish things, sexually charged objects. The lover fantasy would end in orgasm and ejaculation occurs (Statemaster.com, 2011). Signature expression of Paraphilic infantilism refers to those Adults who play the role of a baby or small child for erotic stimulation. This may be characterized by the use of adult-sized diapers and baby clothes or toys and furniture such as crawling, a crib to lend reality to the Infantilist fantasy on the floor and some persons may urinate or defecate in their diapers (Levine & Teege, 2011). An adult baby (AB) is one who gets involved in infantilistic play. About one in three adult babies is also a diaper lover (DL) and therefore known as AB/DLs collectively. The majority sufferers of this disease are heterosexual males. Neither of the two involves sexual preference for children (Getglue.com, 2011). Pearce (2011) argues that Paraphilic infantilism means that an adult becomes sexually aroused when dressing or acting like a baby or when being treated as if he were a baby. This shows that if an adult acts and behaves like a baby, then he will be sexually stimulated. Conditioning may have something to do with infantilism and therefore there is a possibility that the prenatal environment and genetics may contribute to the development of Paraphilic infantilism. Maybe diapers are erotic for a baby since they generate warmth and this makes the baby to feel good against their genitalia. Therefore, when a person gets older and requires comforting he resorts to that which made him feel good and safe when he was a baby, wearing a diaper. Those people suffering from this disease might not remember ever being without the diapers. Others suffering from it might link their onset with an event or date. Classically, these wishes are recognized between the age of 5 and 15. However, there are some reports that indicate that some people show the urge of this behavior at the late age of 53 and above. Older Infantilists and diaper lovers may have thought that they were alone and kept their desire or wish as a secret for a long time. Only about one in twenty sufferers happens to be female. Most individuals who suffer from Adult Baby Syndrome are heterosexual, but all orientations are there (Grey, 2011). Some individuals simply like sensation of wearing one, some feel comforted and safe in diapers, while others wear them as an indicator of sexual stimulation. Some diaper lovers take advantage of the diaper's useful purpose and others do not. This means that some may wear diapers for the purpose of urinating and defecating on it while others wears them for other reasons (Taormino, 2002). When people demonstrate infantile behavior, it means that, they retain mental, emotional and physical qualities of childishness throughout their adult life. The affected person behaves in a way that shows lack of maturity. Some of the folks who wear diapers when they are adults, may have experienced or gone through stress or traumatic events and have not yet been resolved resulting to this kind of behavior (Pearce, 2011). Common fantasy components include coercion, exhibitionism, regression and identification. For the adult babies, organization can be in short 'visits with one's more cuddly side', stuffed animals, footed sleepers and toys. Most of the adult babies choose to play like toddlers, as opposed to a newly born child or even a small kid (Grey, 2011). The most misunderstood and denigrated people in the society are those who have eccentric erotic identities or behaviors, also known as the diaper lovers. They are normally not antisocial freaks, pedophiles or emotionally immature adults. They are usually the everyday people that we normally see and interact with from all lifestyles and careers, families and friends. Since their behaviors are a taboo, people are disrespect and stigmatize them in the society. This means that those people who engage themselves in these behaviors gain disrespect from other members of the society. Anything that concerns kids and sex is a red flag for so many who want to protect and prevent their children from Internet predators, child pornography, and violence (Taormino, 2002). There is no single, typical behavior for Paraphilic infantilism, but a wide range of thought patterns and behaviors. Some fantasize about being free of guilt, control or responsibility, whereas others might not. Some act indistinguishably from a baby at times, while others practice in a way that would probably not be noticed by passers by on the street. The desires and tastes of Paraphilic Infantilists vary around common themes of diapers and babyhood (Draven, 2010). Studies reveal that when an adult baby wears diapers in public being dressed in regular adult clothes, happens to reveal his identity even if there are plastic pants under the diapers. Some sufferers’ say that they get suspecting looks from other people but they do not comment since there is no indication proving that they are wearing diapers. Some say that their opponents do not comment since they feel too embarrassed and strange (Baby junior.com, 2011). If a partner or the person taking care of the Infantilists is willing, adult babies may engage themselves in parent-baby role or responsibility including bathing, powdering and changing into diapers by one's partner, before being put to bed with a baby bottle. Thereafter, the partner comforts and pampers the adult baby, which is the responsibility of a parent, and changes their diapers if wet or dirty. For some Infantilists, the ritual might involve scolding, spanking or chastising for having wet dirtied their diapers. Later, due to this instance and care, the mode of arousal is masochistic. Others may only wish for gentle or nurturing treatment, based on the wish to surrender the responsibilities of adult life (Levine & Teege, 2011). Etiology There is limited research conducted on what causes Paraphilic infantilism. However, some studies suggest that there is a biological causation of hormones. Conversely, such studies do not demonstrate the actual relationship between circulating hormonal levels and the infantilistic behaviors. These studies assert that there might be a slight correlation between comparatively increased levels of androgen production and Paraphilic fantasies related to infantilism. In addition, this increased androgen production occurs across both genders, although men are more susceptible. This means that androgen production correlates with the quantity of infantilistic fantasies. Contemporary biological research asserts that there is a correlation altered brain metabolism, triggered by hormonal imbalance. This causes an early onset of trauma, thereby triggering conditions of Paraphilic infantilism (Wiederman, 2003). Apart from possible biological causes, research indicates that there is a link between stress relief and Paraphilic infantilism. In this case, an adult might develop childish behaviors and fantasies in order to cope with day to day stresses of life. Such an adult may perceive in his or her mind that becoming like a baby would detach an adult from the daily responsibilities, which often cause stress and depression. Once such an adult develop that perception in his or her mind, and starts to act in such a way, it is often very hard to detach from the developed behaviors. This is because the adult becomes addicted to the childish behaviors and feels incomplete without them. For other individuals who undertake infantilism lifestyle, the issue of stress relief accrues when such an adult has another person taking care of them. In such a case, the caregiver treats such a person like a baby in terms of feeding the adult, changing him or her diapers among other responsibilities carried out on a typical child (Statemaster.com, 2011). Another possible cause of Paraphilic infantilism is the case of compulsion to grow and develop. This normally occurs is parents’ other people pressures a child to grow or develop faster than the normal way. In addition, such a case may occur when parents pressures a child who is not ready to grow. Such a child may try to resist becoming an adult because they are not really ready. The consequence for such a situation is that the child may fail to mature up and opt to adopt childish ways once he or she s fully grown. Instead of becoming mature beyond his age he makes a decision, subconsciously, to become an infant again. Such a person might begin practicing childish behaviors mainly because he or she was not ready to mature (Pearce, 2011). There are also some specific instances during childhood or teenage that may have triggered a special obsession to wearing of diapers. Such circumstances might have produced sexual connections and satisfactions in relation to diapers. In addition, the child might have developed a feeling of safety when in diapers. These circumstances may advance during adulthood, where such an adult still feels safer when in diapers or experiences some sexual associations. Such childhood circumstances might include diaper-discipline, sexual exploitation, or even easy chances of situations for instance loss of a parent at the significant point of development. In this case, many adult babies and other people suffering from Paraphilic infantilism cite developmental delays in their bladder and bowel training, such as late bedwetting (Statemaster.com, 2011). Another possible cause of this condition is the mothering aspect. In this case, some women might prefer to be a mommy of a certain adult who needs attention and care. This might occur especially if such a woman has lost a baby and feels that she needs to nurture another baby. Consequently, when such a woman offers care and protection to an adult, especially a man, such a man connects to the attention and cannot possibly live without it. He becomes addicted to the attention and care offered to him by the woman, which accelerates his childish behaviors and fantasies (Statemaster.com, 2011). In the case of adolescents, child abuse and neglect may trigger the onset of Paraphilic infantilism. A neglected and abused teenager might develop the feeling that parents and other people offer much protection and attention to younger children. Such an adolescent therefore develops childish behaviors to attract attention and protection from older people around them. The teenager becomes tremendously in need of care and protection as a result of the trauma and abuse he is experiencing. When such a teenager develops and matures, he might go back to the behaviors that provided him with comfort and care in times of abuse and trauma such as wearing diapers and being pampered (Pearce, 2011). Most psychologists assert that there is a correlation between femininity and Paraphilic infantilism. In this case, most adult babies relate femininity with childish acts. Most Paraphilic infantile men incorporate such behaviors as wearing diapers as a means of being feminine. They associate femininity with aspects of softness and tenderness like wearing soft clothes and being pampered. They therefore develop infantile behaviors s a means of attaining these femininity characteristics (Statemaster.com, 2011). Epidemiology Due to the concealed nature of Paraphilic infantilism, there lacks extensive research and study of its prevalence. This is largely because most people suffering from such a condition will want to conceal their identity. They feel that it would be very embarrassing if the public would learn of their behaviors. In addition, there is no adequate documentation and recording of the prevalence of Paraphilic infantilism in the medical system. The reason why the condition does not have adequate documentation is that the condition does not cause much harm to other people. In addition, Paraphilic infantilism does not have major legal implications and does not cause functional impairment. For these reasons, there is little documentation and research of the prevalence of the condition. It is also evident that people suffering from Paraphilic infantilism do not always seek treatment since most of them are comfortable with their conditions. However, despite scanty data on the prevalence of the condition, some researchers have discovered some online associations of people suffering from the condition, and have thus found a lee way to obtain some prevalence statistics (Levine & Teege, 2011). Some studies indicate that Paraphilic infantilism only affects a small portion of the population. However, the repetitive and insistent nature of the disorder leads to high frequency of the behaviors associated with the condition. It is also evident that there is a large segment of the population, victimized by adult babies. Since many people suffering from this condition do not seek medical attention, researchers in the field assert that the prevalence of the condition is higher that the number of persons assessed in clinics. Paraphilic infantilism seems to be more prevalent in males compared to females. In addition, more than 50 percent of individuals experiencing Paraphilic infantilism have their onset prior to attaining the age of 18 years. This means that although the condition is not primarily for teenagers, it is evident that there are many teenagers affected by it, and this advances to later stages (Sadock & Sadock, 2008). An online research carried out in 2004 revealed that 40 percent of Paraphilic infantile individuals claimed to be diaper lovers. In the same study, another 20 percent claimed to be strictly adult babies while 40 percent asserted mixed behaviors. This means that they were both diaper lovers and adult babies. In addition, this group claimed to have some sexual association with infantilism, for instance wearing of diapers. This research reveals that most of the people suffering from this condition have mixed behaviors of infantilism. The study also revealed that Paraphilic infantilism affects a great number of teenagers. The American Psychiatric Association indicates that may of the individuals suffering form Paraphilic infantilism are heterosexual males (Draven, 2010). During the early 1990’s there people suffering from Paraphilic infantilism launched the first public occasion for the adult babies. The event referred to as the "Baby Week", occurred in San Francisco. Consequently, this gave way for many people suffering from the condition to reveal their identity. For instance, the internet became the major medium where Paraphilic Infantilists would meet and share their lives and experiences. These websites offered books, magazines, audio and video tapes and associated paraphernalia, in addition to a 24-hour hotline. Adequate research also reveals that Paraphilic infantilism has emerged as an option lifestyle in many Western nations such as the United States, England, Germany and Australia. Still in the 1990’s the organization "Diaper Pail Friends" came to existence in San Francisco, escalating to roughly 3,000 members in 1995 through books, talk shows, magazine articles, and the internet (Levine & Teege, 2011). Assessment Before assessing the condition, the assessor should first inform the concerned individual of the specific actions to be carried out during examination. The reason for this prior briefing is to prepare the individual psychologically and to establish some activities that he or she may be uncomfortable to bear. Such assessment specifications would include exposure to sexually explicit materials, which they may find offensive, or that might lead to depression or anxiety. The individual should also know the evaluation specifics and the limits of privacy. Precise prerequisites differ from nation to nation and the clinician should familiarize with the local laws and regulations. In case there was arrest before the evaluation, it is sensible for the individual to have a legal representative before the assessment starts (Krueger & Kaplan, 2002). Paraphilic infantilism might be more clinically prevalent than most clinicians would suspect. The assessment of this condition might not adequately reveal its prevalence until the establishment of a therapeutic alliance. This is because the condition relates to feelings of guilt and shame, and many people suffering from the condition might not reveal some truths. Consequently, since the patient might feel uncomfortable to reveal his or her behavior, it is advisable that the clinician inquire directly concerning infantile behaviors than expecting the patient to explain (Kafka, 1996). It is very important that the clinician perform a thorough evaluation to guarantee effective individualized treatment. This detailed assessment should commence with a comprehensive history of the patient regarding infantile behaviors and the triggers of these behaviors. The assessor should also make the patient reveal the reasons for his or her infantile behaviors. This is essential because it helps the clinician to understand the onset of the condition and determine appropriate treatment approaches for the patient. In addition, the clinician should assess the specific behaviors associated with the condition to establish whether the patient is suffering from mere adult baby syndrome or it has sexual connections. This would still help the clinician to recommend the appropriate treatment method for the patient. The clinician should however refrain from making the patient feel uncomfortable and should not be very judgmental concerning the behaviors of the patient (Krueger & Kaplan, 2002). Treatment There are various difficulties in treating patients suffering from Paraphilic infantilism. Fr instance, the patient may be wondering who is the best person that he or she can tell of the condition without fear. It appears that most victims of the condition do not open up to the clinicians concerning the genuine truth of their condition. Due to this fear, the clinician might recommend treatment approaches that do not help the patient. Another difficulty in treatment of the condition occurs due to patients being comfortable with the condition. This means that some individuals especially the adults are often very comfortable with the behaviors since they have an unfulfilled desire (Statemaster.com, 2011). Despite, such difficulties in treatment of the condition, some people who live with people suffering from the condition might force them to seek medical attention. This might occur due to the disturbance caused by the victim or to secure a healthy relationship. For example, a wife whose husband suffers the condition might compel him to seek treatment to save her the burden of taking extreme care of a grown up man. Alternatively, the wife might take such an action to save their marriage, especially if the condition is sex-stimulation related (Gunawardena, 1990). There is also much difficulty in treating teens who suffer from Paraphilic infantilism. This is because they do not want to reveal their actions due to peer pressure. Most of these teens would like to lead normal lives and interact with their peers in the same level. However, the aspect of being infantile may attract rejection from their peers. Consequently, such teens deem that they are comfortable with their condition and hence do not need any medical attention or intervention. In addition, Infantilist teens frequently try to resist their longing for infantile items, treatment, or behavior (Statemaster.com, 2011). Pate & Gabbard (2003) adds that most individuals suffering from Paraphilic infantilism fail to seek treatment because they don’t regard their condition as a weakness or a disease. Conversely, they deem that their condition is essential for the pursuit of satisfying certain desires. As a result, most adult babies do not reveal their condition and when compelled to seek treatment, they resist with passion. Research shows that some male Infantilists enjoy being pampered and wearing diapers and they hardly ever have any interest in altering their behavior. Paraphilic infantilism flies below the radar of psychiatric assessment since people wishing to behave like babies do not often regard themselves as patients who require psychiatric intervention. There are various approaches that clinicians can employ in treating patients suffering from Paraphilic infantilism. The clinician can use psychoanalytic approaches, biological approaches, behavioral therapies as well as biological methods which involve medications. Psychoanalytic methods are useful in establishing the developmental source of the condition and working through those fundamental conflicts or unsettled issues. Biological approaches entail restraining sexual drive and infantilistic urges as well as reducing compulsivity. Behavioral approaches entail breaking the link between undesirable stimuli and infantile stimulation, strengthening more acceptable sexual and non-infantile stimuli, and relapse prevention (Wiederman, 2003). Behavioral therapies are the best approaches for treating people suffering from Paraphilic infantilism. One such approach is cognitive restructuring, which challenges certain cognitions and justifications of infantile behaviors. Most people practicing Paraphilic infantile behaviors offer justifications for their actions. In most cases the provide explanations with of irrational beliefs and perceptions that they hold. These are cognitive misrepresentations, which help them to validate and maintain their infantile behaviors. In therapy, the therapists challenge such cognitions through cognitive restructuring (Krueger & Kaplan, 2002). Another form of behavioral therapy is covert sensitization, which interrupt the sequence of behaviors and perceptions preceding the infantile behavior. The therapist helps the patient internalize and link the negative consequences and the infantile behaviors that he practices. Frequently, people suffering from this condition do not comprehend the pain or suffering that they cause to other people. A significant form of behavioral therapy is victim empathy training, which helps the patients to comprehend the negative effects that they cause to other people, especially those who are close to them. Having this understanding, it would help such individuals do away with their infantilistic behaviors as they would not like to hurt other people (Krueger & Kaplan, 2002). Apart from therapy, medications can be useful in suppressing the stimulus that causes infantilistic behaviors. Clinicians widely recommend the use of Antiandrogen medication. These medications suppress the excessive production of the androgen hormone, which triggers the stimulation of some Paraphilic infantilism behaviors. This often relieves the patient of infantilistic stimulation and sexual tension. They therefore feel less stimulated by the sexual and infantilistic desires and fantasies (Baby junior.com, 2011). Anti-androgens however have various side effects including exhaustion, weight gain, headaches, hypertension, diminished spermatogenesis, leg cramps and hyperglycemia. Additionally, there might be an augmented risk of thromboembolism in men and women with risk factors linked to clotting disorders. In addition, there might be rare feminization effects for instance breast swelling and alterations in hair distribution during extended treatment. Following a phase of symptom stabilization, the clinician should titrate a reduced maintenance dose to reduce side effects, and sometimes, to allow a more selective alleviation of infantilistic behaviors (Kafka, 1996) Conclusion Paraphilic infantilism is a rare condition associated with adult people wanting to behave like babies. The major behaviors and stimulations are need for pampering, a strong urge to wear diapers and other infantilistic urges. This condition also occurs as an urge for sexual gratification from childish behaviors like wearing diapers. Most people suffering from this condition often conceal their identities because they would feel embarrassed discussing their behaviors. As a result, most researchers have not yet produced adequate information concerning the prevalence of the disorder. However, some studies and surveys conducted in the internet indicate that the condition is more prevalent in men compared to women. Similar studies also reveal that this condition affects a great number of teenagers. In addition, the onset of the condition in most of older people occurs before the age f 18. There are mixed causes of the condition, most of which are behavioral with minimal biological causes. Some of these causes include the need to release stress, the aspect of mothering, need for protection and attention in times of trauma and neglect as well as compulsion to grow and develop. On the other hand, biological assertions link the condition with hormonal imbalance characterized by excessive production of the androgen hormone. Due to the concealed nature of the condition, there are various complexities in treatment. However, a mix of biological interventions and behavioral therapies are useful in treating and managing the condition. These interventions include covert sensitization, victim empathy training, cognitive restructuring and use of anti-androgen medications. Future research should mainly focus on the etiology and prevalence of the condition. This is because there is scanty information concerning the distribution and occurrence of the condition. In addition, medical practitioners should develop better ways of assessing the condition such that patients can be comfortable explaining their behaviors. This is a developing field in psychology that requires extensive research to establish the prevalence, etiology and better treatment options for the condition. References Baby junior.com. (2011). Paraphilic Infantilism. Retrieved from Bergman, G. (2006). From Autoeroticism to Zoroastrianism: An Irreverent Reference. Massachusetts: Adams Media. Draven, S. (2010). What do you think of "Paraphilic Infantilism? Retrieved from Getglue.com, (2011). Paraphilic infantilism. Retrieved from Grey, B. T. (2011). What is Infantilism? Retrieved from Gunawardena, R. P. (1990). Paraphilic Infantilism: A Rare Case of Fetishistic Behavior. British Journal of Psychiatry, 157, 767-770. Kafka, M. P. (1996). Therapy for Sexual Impulsivity: The Paraphilia and Paraphilia-Related Disorders. Journal of Psychiatric Times, 13, 6, 1-6. Krueger, R.B. & Kaplan, M. S. (2002). Behavioral and Psychopharmacological Treatment of the Paraphilic and Hypersexual Disorders. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 8, 1, 21-29. Levine, D. K. & Teege, G. (2011). Paraphilic infantilism. Retrieved from Pate, J.E & Gabbard, G.O. (2003). Adult Baby Syndrome. American Journal of Psychiatry, 160, 1932-1936. Pearce, C. (2011). What Does Infantilism Stem From? Retrieved from Sadock, B. J. & Sadock, V. A. (2008). Sadock's concise textbook of clinical psychiatry. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Statemaster.com. (2011). Paraphilic infantilism. Retrieved from Taormina T. (2002). Still in Diapers. Retrieved from Wiederman, M.W. (2003). Paraphilia and Fetishism. The Family Journal, 11, 3, 315-321. Read More