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Necrophilic - Definition, Causes and Treatment
Necrophilia is a paraphilic disorder characterized by sexual attraction to or fantasies involving corpses. It is classified as a severe paraphilia and is both clinically and legally significant.
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Necrophilia is a paraphilic disorder characterized by sexual attraction to or fantasies involving corpses. It is classified as a severe paraphilia and is both clinically and legally significant.
Definition
Necrophilia (from Greek nekros = dead, philein = to love) refers to a paraphilia in which a person experiences sexual arousal, fantasies, or behaviors directed toward deceased human bodies. The term necrophilic describes an individual who exhibits this preference. Necrophilia is considered one of the most severe sexual disorders and is illegal in most jurisdictions.
Classification
In the ICD-11 classification system of the World Health Organization (WHO), necrophilia is categorized under paraphilic disorders. A paraphilia becomes a diagnosable disorder when it causes significant distress or involves harm to others. Because necrophilia inherently involves the desecration of deceased individuals, it is always classified as clinically and legally problematic.
Causes and Development
The exact causes of necrophilic tendencies are not fully understood. Proposed contributing factors include:
- Severe psychological trauma during childhood or adolescence
- Serious personality disorders, particularly antisocial or narcissistic types
- Neurological dysregulation in areas governing sexuality and impulse control
- Early exposure to extreme or violent sexual content
- Social isolation and pathological attachment disorders
In documented cases, necrophilic behavior has sometimes co-occurred with other severe psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia or pronounced antisocial personality disorder.
Psychiatric Classification
In forensic psychiatry, necrophilia is regarded as a severe paraphilic disorder. It is extremely rare and typically comes to clinical attention only in the context of criminal investigations. Psychiatric evaluations play a central role in court proceedings, particularly in assessing criminal responsibility and determining appropriate legal and therapeutic measures.
Legal Aspects
In many countries, necrophilic acts are criminally prosecuted. In Germany, desecration of a corpse is punishable under Section 168 of the Criminal Code (StGB), which protects the peace of the dead. Similar laws exist in Austria, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and most other nations.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of a necrophilic paraphilic disorder is made by forensic psychiatrists and clinical psychologists using structured clinical interviews, psychological assessment tools, and behavioral history analysis. Self-diagnosis is not appropriate in this context.
Treatment
Treatment of necrophilic disorders is complex and typically involves:
- Psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), to address and modify problematic thought and behavior patterns
- Pharmacotherapy, such as antiandrogens or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), to reduce sexual drive
- Forensic psychiatric supervision within secure settings or as part of probation and community management programs
Full remission is rare; the primary goals of treatment are the prevention of reoffending and the protection of the public.
References
- World Health Organization (WHO): ICD-11 - International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision. Chapter 17: Paraphilic Disorders. Geneva, 2022.
- Rosman, J. P. & Resnick, P. J.: Sexual attraction to corpses - A psychiatric review of necrophilia. Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 17(2), 153-163, 1989.
- Beier, K. M. et al.: Sexual Medicine - Foundations and Practice. Urban & Fischer, Munich, 2nd edition, 2012.
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