Somnophilia

Somnophilia (from Latin "somnus" = sleep and Greek φιλία, "-philia" = love) is a paraphilia in which sexual arousal or orgasm are stimulated by intruding on and awakening a sleeping person with erotic caresses, but not with force or violence.[1][2] Some signs or symptoms that may point to Somnophilia include recurring thoughts regarding unconscious or sleeping persons and feeling sexual urges when in contact with or in the proximity of said individuals.[3] There are possible treatments of somnophilia such as hypnosis, behavioral therapy and 12 step programs designed to terminate the behavior. While treatment is available, it is not needed unless the behavior becomes destructive, problematic, or becomes a legal issue.[4]

References

  1. ^ Butcher, Nancy (2003). The Strange Case of the Walking Corpse: A Chronicle of Medical Mysteries, Curious Remedies, and Bizarre but True Healing Folklore. New York: Avery. p. 134. ISBN 1583331603. OCLC 52107453. 
  2. ^ Flora, Rudy (2001). How to Work with Sex Offenders: A Handbook for Criminal Justice, Human Service, and Mental Health Professionals. New York: Haworth Clinical Practice Press. p. 92. ISBN 0789014998. OCLC 45668958. 
  3. ^ http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/s/somnophilia/symptoms.htm
  4. ^ http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/s/somnophilia/treatments.htm