Final answer:
Not all paraphilias are considered disorders; only those causing distress, impairment, or harm fall under the category of paraphilic disorders as per DSM guidelines. The evolution of the DSM and societal beliefs highlight the complexity in defining mental disorders, including paraphilic disorders. Non-disordered paraphilias are atypical sexual interests without associated distress or harmful behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
Not all paraphilias should be considered disorders. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual on Mental Disorders (DSM), for a paraphilia to be diagnosed as a paraphilic disorder, it must cause distress or impairment to the individual, or entail harm or risk of harm to others.
In the evolving field of psychology, the definition and classification of mental disorders, including paraphilic disorders, have been topics of debate among psychologists, theorists, and clinicians. With homosexuality once labeled as a mental illness and later removed from the DSM due to research such as Eveyln Hoo_ker's, which posited that it is a normal variation of human behavior, it's clear that societal views and scientific understanding play a critical role in what is deemed a disorder.
To distinguish between a paraphilia and a paraphilic disorder, the paraphilia alone is not sufficient for a diagnosis. It becomes disordered only when it involves distress, impairment, or harm to oneself or others. Thus, having atypical sexual interests does not necessarily require treatment unless they lead to significant distress or harmful behavior.