Human Sexuality and Intense Sexual Arousal

Hybristophilia is a psychological disorder also known as the Bonnie and Clyde syndrome, which affects women more than men, involves a sexual attraction to those who are known to have committed an outrage or crime, such as rape, murder, or armed robbery or are currently incarcerated for criminal activity. On some occasions the hybristophilic individual may urge their partner to commit a crime and be convicted. Hybristophilia is classified as a form of paraphilia; which is known as an intense sexual arousal to atypical objects, situations, or individuals. Hybristophilia itself may have been acceptable and perhaps even encouraged in some of the more brutal societies in history. Research into hybristophilia is still at quite an early stage. There is still no agreed upon classification or method of diagnosis for the condition, nor the underlying causes of the problem. There is one common feature, in which women follow males that have committed atrocities. There are two know types of Hybristophilia: Passive Hybristophilia, which include women writing to prisoners and end up believing the man would do them no harm, that they could help rehabilitate them, and may even make excuses for the man’s past behavior. Aggressive Hybristophilia, involves cases where the women are attracted to the men that have committed the atrocities and are sexually aroused by the acts themselves and would like to join in with them. Researchers have concepts about why some individuals are like this. Some believe hybristophiliacs are submissive subjects, while others believe they are narcissist enablers who are pulled in to power. Treatment is usually not desired, it’s unless necessary because of a lawsuit. One form of treatment is psychotherapy: such as mental personality treatments, erectile reconditioning, personal expressive-supportive psychotherapy and hypnosis. Medications such as antidepressants, long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormones (medical castration), antiandrogens,

References: http://www.sciences360.com/index.php/fatal-love-the-psychological-disorder-hybristophilia-14121/ http://lurnq.com/lesson/Mental-Disorders-and-Crime/section/Hybristophilia-and-Stockholm-Syndrome/ http://www.psychologistdelhiindia.com/articles.php?id=19 http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-human-equation/201211/serial-killer-groupies-who-kill Sexual Deviance: Theory, Assessment, and Treatment., edited by D. Laws, William T. pg 411