The category of sex offenders is a legal not a clinical one. However many sex offenders may show elements of mental disorder, including personality disorder, affective disorder, substance abuse, organic brain syndrome or paraphilias, whilst a small proportion may have psychotic illnesses. 

Sexually abnormal behaviour may present in psychiatric practice throughout the life span and may be seen by general or forensic psychiatrists, child and adolescent or old age psychiatrists.

This module will enable psychiatrists and related health professionals to gain knowledge of the assessment and treatment of patients who commit sex offences or other criminal offences not designated as sex offences but motivated by sexual factors.

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