Disclaimer: like most pedophiles, I have never approached a child with anything sexual or otherwise inapporpriate, and I don’t plan ever to do so. I recognize the harm in such actions, and I don’t want to hurt the very people I love. If you expect AMA with a child molester, this ain’t it.
The account is a throwaway, hope you’ll understand this decision given the sensitivity of the topic.
Edit: Thank you for keeping civil and genuine in your questions. I did envision hostility, yet here you are, amazing as always. Lemmy is a wonderful place to be, thanks to you all!
Edit 2: Apparently we have another brave pedophile here in the comments, and he came with a good note I should include in the post: if you find yourself attracted to minors, that’s okay. Acting on your desires is dangerous, but having them isn’t. If you’d like to have some support and/or community that would help you get your bearings or just listen without any prejudice (we’re all in the same boat), there are places that can help you. Visit VirPed (18+) or MAP Support Club (13+; scroll down for details), or refer to other resources through the MAP Resources website.
Not a question but I’m proud of you.
Not many people put others well being in front of their own. So even if you are mentally ill, you’re still a better person than many :) and don’t you dare ever believe anyone telling you the opposite
I wish you lots of love and strength to live following the right path and I’m sure you’ll find happiness ;* (surrounding yourself with good people is also very helpful)
-Fellow mentally ill person
Edit: For anyone else passing by that is feeling disgust/replusion or anything else negative towards op/that other commenter please keep in mind that those 2 are just some poor guys struggling because of their mind and are obviously suffering. They didn’t hurt anyone and I believe they probably won’t either. So maybe show them some compassion instead, yes?
Hey! I’m not OP, but I am also a pedophile. Thank you so much! I do want to just point out that while we may be mentally ill in some ways (chronic depression for me), pedophilia isn’t one. It’s simply our sexuality. The DSM does list pedophilic disorder, which is if our attractions cause us distress, but that’s not the case for me anymore.
I really appreciate your input, though! Thanks! I wish you the best!
Oh wow, sorry I really thought pedophillia was categorized as mental illness
Obviously didn’t mean to offend, I just want to show you 2 some appreciation (this is something society often does not…)
I’m really glad to hear it’s at least not causing you any distress anymore :)
Manic depression here btw, problems really seldom come alone do they? Anyway stay strong king ❤️
Thanks so much, and I’m not offended. A lot of people think it’s a mental illness. Two friends were totally shocked when I said I didn’t need therapy for it. “WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON’T NEED THERAPY? MAYBE THERE’S SOME WAY TO REATTACH YOUR ATTRACTIONS TO SOMETHING NORMAL!” Conversion therapy doesn’t work for gay people or for pedophiles.
Anyway, I really appreciate you. You stay strong too!
Thank you! I wish you all the best with whatever is happening with your own mind. You can always share, too, if you’ll ever want to, and I’ll be happy to help you with what I can.
The change of pedophilia to pedophilic disorder Saint talks about happened long ago in the US (since the DSM-V update in 2013), but only recently came to other countries in WHO’s ICD-11, so for most of the world, it’s actually a very recent change - no wonder most people don’t know that yet :)
However, my country decided to straight up reject entire ICD-11 and stick with outdated ICD-10 because of that change (and also because of delisting trans individuals). They just literally ignored entire medical progress of the past 30 years because hurr durr pedophiles no longer sick. So, the reception of the changes is still…complicated.