Citation

Briken P, Kafka MP. Curr. Opin. Psychiatry 2007; 20(6): 609-613.

Affiliation

Institute for Sex Research and Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. briken@uke.uni-hamburg.de

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/YCO.0b013e3282f0eb0b

PMID

17921764

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review addresses testosterone-lowering and other psychotropic medications for the treatment of paraphilic patients or sexual offenders. RECENT FINDINGS: Randomized controlled studies are still lacking, and only a few new studies were reported during the past year. On the other hand, there is substantial scientific knowledge about the wide range of psychiatric comorbidity associated with paraphilias and in sexual offenders. Empirically based treatment of these patients, especially of impulsivity, anxiety and mood disorders, may also ameliorate sexual impulsivity. SUMMARY: Medication interventions, either substantially lowering serum testosterone or treating axis I comorbidities, show definite promise as a significant component of the management of sexual offenders. Pharmacotherapy should be combined with other therapeutic treatment modalities, most commonly cognitive-behaviour based psychotherapy and intensive community supervision.

Language: en