Can someone who looks normal be a pedophile? Psychologists reveal 6 potential characteristics: these people should consult early
The well-known artist Huang Zijiao was accused of sexual harassment last year (2023). In April this year, prosecutors searched and found that his computer hard drive contained 7 indecent videos of minors. As soon as the news came out, it triggered criticism from all walks of life; now many netizens have uploaded The interview video of Huang Zijiao in the past pointed out that he may have potential “pedophile” tendencies.
What is the definition of pedophilia? Could the perpetrator have been a victim?
Lin Zhaoxian, who once served as the chairman of the 4th Hsinchu Clinical Psychologist Association and is currently a clinical psychologist at Mi Mi Psychotherapy Center and Yunqi Psychotherapy Center, said in an interview that first of all, it should be clarified that “crime” and “disease” cannot be generalized, which means that most People with mental illness do not necessarily commit crimes; perpetrators do not necessarily suffer from mental illness. Although Huang Zijiao’s criminal behavior is proven true, whether his criminal motive was caused by mental illness requires a more rigorous and professional appraisal to determine.
Psychologist Lin Zhaoxian explained that clinically defined “pedophilia” or pedophilia tendencies generally refer to long-term pre-pubertal or younger school-age children or toddlers (usually under 13 years old). Patients with strong sexual desire; as for the sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old female, although it is undoubtedly against the law, it does not necessarily meet the diagnostic criteria of pedophilia.
“Another clinical standard is that children have continued to have strong sexual fantasies and sexual impulses for more than half a year, and even worse, have harassed, molested, violated and other behaviors!” Psychologist Lin Zhaoxian pointed out that there have been very few studies in the past supporting the relationship between pedophilia and pedophilia. Genes or other physiological factors are related, but the evidence is weak. It is still believed that pedophilia is deeply influenced by the interaction of complex factors such as psychological, social and cultural factors. In addition, research shows that a high proportion of pedophiles have experienced physical abuse, sexual abuse, or poor parent-child relationships in childhood. However, there are also pedophiles who have no such relevant experience, and the perpetrators may not have been victims.
“Men are far more likely to be pedophiles than women”? Can a normal-looking person be a pedophile?
What are the physical characteristics of pedophiles? What behaviors may be associated with pedophilia? Psychologist Lin Zhaoxian clarified that pedophiles may not necessarily be identified by their appearance. For example, a senior executive in a neat suit may have latent pedophile tendencies even though there are no clues from his appearance. Judging from clear clinical evidence, pedophilia is much higher among men than among women, and higher among heterosexuals than among homosexuals.
In addition, a high proportion of pedophiles have emotional problems such as depression and anxiety, and they may also be at higher risk of substance abuse such as alcoholism and drug use. Perpetrators of pedophile tendencies often commit crimes in a negative emotional state or after drinking; pedophiles are also often highly impulsive and are more likely to attack children with low resistance in high-risk situations (such as being alone with children for a period of time). Take action.
“When it comes to child sex crimes, the general public will adopt the mentality of ‘it is better to kill by mistake than by mistake’ to control risks; but in clinical practice, unless the person concerned is willing to talk about his inner feelings, we will not easily judge any criminal For pedophiles!”
From a psychopathological perspective, pedophilia is the result of “lack of normal social skills”, which means that the person cannot obtain intimacy or sexual satisfaction through ordinary channels, so he turns to innocent children for comfort. But “the opposite is not true”. Not all introverts may have pedophiles; there are also some pedophiles who have good interpersonal and social skills.
Can pedophilia be “cured”? Should patients learn to “coexist” with sexual addictions as early as possible?
Many people are curious whether pedophilia can be alleviated through psychological treatment. Psychologist Lin Zhaoxian said that psychotherapy can indeed help pedophiles through many ways. For example, “cognitive behavioral therapy” (CBT) can help initially clarify the pedophile’s original family relationship and the internal problems caused by the experience of abuse. Trauma and distorted beliefs, and can improve social and interpersonal distress, negative emotion mediation, and even impulse control abilities.
Furthermore, cognitive behavioral therapy can also help patients reduce the sexual stimulation or sexual desire caused by sexual fetishes, such as desensitization training or exposure therapy, which can help weaken the connection between sexual desire and specific people and things. . In the case of pedophilia, after treatment, the patient’s feelings when in contact with children are not necessarily linked to sexual desire.
“Most people who are aware of their pedophile tendencies may resist help due to shame or lack of information. In fact, as long as you feel uncomfortable or have doubts about any sexual fetish, you are encouraged to consult a professional in advance to understand whether consultation or treatment is needed! Psychologist Lin Zhaoxian emphasized that sexual fetishes are often a long-term development process. If you can learn to live with them early, it will help avoid negative consequences and is also crucial for improving mental health.
More than 1/3 of sexual assault victims are left with trauma! “3 measures” can help get out of the haze as soon as possible
If you have been sexually harassed or even sexually assaulted as a child or teenager, how can you get out of the shadows as soon as possible? Psychologist Lam Zhao-yin said that past studies have shown that about one-third of women who have been sexually assaulted suffer from “post-traumatic stress disorder” (PTSD). Victims may suffer from the trauma for years or even decades, leading to more complex psychological problems.
“For victims of sexual assault, sometimes it is really difficult to heal themselves. Therefore, we call on people who have had unfortunate experiences to have the courage to receive treatment as soon as possible and seek help from psychological counseling!” Psychologist Lin Zhaoxian pointed out , Nowadays, psychotherapy technology has been quite advanced, and dealing with trauma may not be as time-consuming as it used to be. For example, Eye Movement Desensitization and Process Renewal Therapy (EMDR) uses the therapist to guide and process traumatic memories, leading the patient to perform eye movements similar to the eye movement sleep period, so that painful memories and emotions that cannot be sorted out in the past can be updated.
EMDR therapy is a scientifically proven treatment method that can deal with trauma more quickly. Currently, professional psychotherapists can also be sought for treatment in Taiwan. In addition to seeking treatment, psychologist Lin Zhaoxian also encourages trauma victims to learn “mindfulness” and practice mindfulness regularly in daily life, which is also beneficial to relieving trauma. In addition, it is recommended to maintain a good routine such as fixing sleep time, avoiding staying up late, eating a balanced diet and getting more exercise to maintain a certain level of physical and mental health.
Isn’t it enough for artists to sign a petition to amend the law? Psychologist: Starting with sex education is the fundamental strategy!
The Huang Zijiao case has made many Taiwanese realize the importance of protecting the rights of children and children. Many film and television celebrities have signed a petition to amend the law, calling on the government to pay attention to the issue of sexual crimes against children and children. Psychologist Lin Zhaoxian believes that from a mental health perspective, preventing child sex crimes belongs to the category of primary prevention, and the ideal goal is to eradicate crimes before they actually occur.
“Specifically, it starts with ‘mental health education’ or ‘sex education’ so that people with potential troubles can recognize their own situation early and seek help. However, it cannot be denied that it is indeed difficult to implement on the policy level; for example, Pedestrian safety issues that have received a lot of attention recently are actually due to the lack of traffic education in the past and people’s lack of basic understanding of rights of way and rules. As a result, violators are often unaware of their deviant behavior! "
Due to the inherent limitations of insufficient sex education, when major sexual crimes occur, the penalties can often only be increased. This is why European and American countries have imposed stricter penalties on children’s crimes in recent years, “because it is better to fix the problem before it is done than not to fix it at all.” However, From a mental health perspective, reinforcing people’s understanding of sex education and understanding their own inner activities may be the fundamental strategy to eliminate sexual crimes.
Finally, psychologist Lin Zhaoxian appealed: “Instead of joining the crowd of “throwing stones”, we should use the Huang Zijiao incident to become aware of the possible grievances, anger, fear, and even violence or sexual desire within ourselves, and take note of them. and healing. Such an action may seem counterintuitive, but it is an exercise worth trying!”
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