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Understanding Pedophilia as a Disorder

I appreciate that LisaM. Cook shared her experience in “Convicted” (Reflections,March). I’m a psychiatric nurse who’s been in nursing for close to 40 years and taught psychiatric nursing on the baccalaureate level. I understand the author’s concern and fear about working with a pedophile, but I’m sorry she felt “disgusted” after spending time with this patient. Pedophilia is a mental disorder, according to the American Psychiatric Association. This patient didn’t choose to be a pedophile. He hadn’t “made those decisions” to molest children, as the author believes—he couldn’t help it. Psychiatric resources indicate he may be suffering from an imbalance in brain chemistry and perhaps a genetic predisposition to the disease. Also, many pedophiles were sexually molested as children (commonly by a family member). Pedophilia is not unlike obsessivecompulsive disorder, in which someone is unable to control rituals (like handwashing). Like that condition, pedophilia is treatable.

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Emy Noviana Sandy
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225 views1 page

Understanding Pedophilia as a Disorder

I appreciate that LisaM. Cook shared her experience in “Convicted” (Reflections,March). I’m a psychiatric nurse who’s been in nursing for close to 40 years and taught psychiatric nursing on the baccalaureate level. I understand the author’s concern and fear about working with a pedophile, but I’m sorry she felt “disgusted” after spending time with this patient. Pedophilia is a mental disorder, according to the American Psychiatric Association. This patient didn’t choose to be a pedophile. He hadn’t “made those decisions” to molest children, as the author believes—he couldn’t help it. Psychiatric resources indicate he may be suffering from an imbalance in brain chemistry and perhaps a genetic predisposition to the disease. Also, many pedophiles were sexually molested as children (commonly by a family member). Pedophilia is not unlike obsessivecompulsive disorder, in which someone is unable to control rituals (like handwashing). Like that condition, pedophilia is treatable.

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Emy Noviana Sandy
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CARING FOR A PEDOPHILE for his actionsactions he was of Medicine, and the National

I appreciate that Lisa M. Cook unable to control. Academies; many have masters
shared her experience in Con- Kathy Killman, MS, RN and doctoral degrees, and some
victed (Reflections, March). Im Chicago have been nursing school deans
a psychiatric nurse whos been in and nursing service administra-
nursing for close to 40 years and PRESERVING HISTORY tors or served as leaders in the
taught psychiatric nursing on the Honoring Black Nurses (Edi- nations military. For this group
baccalaureate level. I understand torial, February) resonated with of nurses, adversity provided op-
the authors concern and fear meIm an African American portunity and often stimulated
about working with a pedophile, nurse and the facilitator of the success.
but Im sorry she felt disgusted Meharry School of Nursing Much progress has been made,
after spending time with this History Project, for which some but African Americans continue
patient. alumnae are collecting stories to be underrepresented in pro-
Pedophilia is a mental disorder, about this historically black fessional nursing, just as data
according to the American Psy- schools graduates. Operational continue to demonstrate dispro-
chiatric Association. This patient from 1900 to 1962, the school portionately poor health outcomes
didnt choose to be a pedophile. graduated 666 nurses; weve among African Americans. Its
He hadnt made those decisions accumulated more than 130 of as important now as it was when
to molest children, as the author their stories thus far. the Meharry School of Nursing
believeshe couldnt help it. Psy- Many graduates have reported existed to educate African Amer-
chiatric resources indicate he may that they encountered barriers to icans to become leaders in nurs-
be suffering from an imbalance entering nursing programs based ing, to support national efforts to
in brain chemistry and perhaps a on their race, particularly in overcome racial health disparities,
genetic predisposition to the dis- Southern states. Theyve also and to provide role models for the
ease. Also, many pedophiles were mentioned the importance of the next generation.
sexually molested as children U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps, organ- Iris R. Shannon, PhD, RN, FAAN
(commonly by a family member). ized during World War II to meet Past President, American Public
Pedophilia is not unlike obsessive- a nursing shortage, which pro- Health Association, Chicago
compulsive disorder, in which vided the resources needed for
someone is unable to control ritu- some students to enter the nurs- MARCH COVER PHOTO
als (like handwashing). Like that ing profession. As an artist and an RN of
condition, pedophilia is treatable. Alumnae have frequently men- 31 years, I found the illustration
Due to the authors consistent tioned that they were the first on the cover of the March issue
approach, he must have perceived African American professional to be neither appealing nor ap-
her to be a caring person, open- nurses in a setting or to receive a propriate. It was also hopelessly
ing up to her about his past and promotion. Some of our graduates sexist, and a put-down for vic-
allowing himself to become vul- are members of the American tims of AIDS.
nerable. And he expressed remorse Academy of Nursing, the Institute The cover made me immedi-
ately examine the inside of the
journal, to see if it had also
Asthma in Adolescents and Adults: Erratum changed radically for the worse.
I was pleased to find that it
In the May issue, the continuing education article Asthma in Ado-
lescents and Adults should have contained the following disclosure
hadnt. The articles were inform-
statement: Susan Corbridge has disclosed that she has no financial ative, to the point, and valuable.
Alice Walters, BSN, RN
relationships to this article. Thomas C. Corbridge is a former member
of the speakers bureau for GlaxoSmithKline and Boehringer Ingelheim. Charlotte, NC
LWW has resolved any potential conflict of interest.
We regret the error. This error has been noted in the online version
of the article, which is available at [Link]. For more letters from AJN read-
REFERENCE ers, go to [Link]
Corbridge S, Corbridge TC. Asthma in Adolescents and Adults. Am J Nurs 2010;
110(5):28-38. AJN/A9.

ajn@[Link] AJN June 2010 Vol. 110, No. 6 13

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