Hypersexual disorder
Encyclopedia
Hypersexual disorder was proposed in 2010 for inclusion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association
(APA). It is currently under consideration for inclusion in the appendix of the DSM, but not in the main list of official diagnoses. The label “hypersexual disorder” was reportedly chosen because it did not imply any specific theory for what causes hypersexuality
, which remains unknown. A proposal to add sexual addiction
to the DSM system has been rejected by the APA, as not enough evidence suggested to them that the condition is analogous to substance addictions, as that name would imply.
In the diagnostic criteria proposed for Hypersexual Disorder, the label would apply when a person experiences several of the indicated symptoms (extreme amounts of time spent in the sexual activity, using the sexual activity in response to low mood or stress, failed attempts to reduce the behaviors, etc.). Moreover, it would apply only when the problem lasted six months or more, when person experienced significant distress or impairment in major life areas because of it, and when the problem was not directly caused by a medication or drugs, as well as other criteria. Under the proposal, an official diagnosis would also specify the which behavior(s) are problematic in the case: masturbation
, pornography use, cybersex
, etc.
The APA reports that the updated manual, called the DSM-5
, will be released in 2013. The pre-2013 version of the manual, the DSM-IV-TR includes an entry called Sexual Disorder—Not Otherwise Specified (Sexual Disorder NOS), for disorders that are clinically significant, but do not have their own code. The DSM-IV-TR notes that Sexual Disorder NOS would apply to, among other conditions, “distress about a pattern of repeated sexual relationships involving a succession of lovers who are experienced by the individual only as things to be used.”
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is published by the American Psychiatric Association and provides a common language and standard criteria for the classification of mental disorders...
(DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association
American Psychiatric Association
The American Psychiatric Association is the main professional organization of psychiatrists and trainee psychiatrists in the United States, and the most influential worldwide. Its some 38,000 members are mainly American but some are international...
(APA). It is currently under consideration for inclusion in the appendix of the DSM, but not in the main list of official diagnoses. The label “hypersexual disorder” was reportedly chosen because it did not imply any specific theory for what causes hypersexuality
Hypersexuality
Hypersexuality is extremely frequent or suddenly increased sexual urges or sexual activity. Hypersexuality is typically associated with lowered sexual inhibitions. Although hypersexuality can be caused by some medical conditions or medications, in most cases the cause is unknown...
, which remains unknown. A proposal to add sexual addiction
Sexual addiction
Sexual addiction is a popular model to explain hypersexuality—sexual urges, behaviors, or thoughts that appear extreme in frequency or feel out of one's control...
to the DSM system has been rejected by the APA, as not enough evidence suggested to them that the condition is analogous to substance addictions, as that name would imply.
In the diagnostic criteria proposed for Hypersexual Disorder, the label would apply when a person experiences several of the indicated symptoms (extreme amounts of time spent in the sexual activity, using the sexual activity in response to low mood or stress, failed attempts to reduce the behaviors, etc.). Moreover, it would apply only when the problem lasted six months or more, when person experienced significant distress or impairment in major life areas because of it, and when the problem was not directly caused by a medication or drugs, as well as other criteria. Under the proposal, an official diagnosis would also specify the which behavior(s) are problematic in the case: masturbation
Masturbation
Masturbation refers to sexual stimulation of a person's own genitals, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation can be performed manually, by use of objects or tools, or by some combination of these methods. Masturbation is a common form of autoeroticism...
, pornography use, cybersex
Cybersex
Cybersex, also called computer sex, Internet sex, netsex, mudsex, TinySex and, colloquially, cybering, is a virtual sex encounter in which two or more persons connected remotely via computer network send each other sexually explicit messages describing a sexual experience...
, etc.
The APA reports that the updated manual, called the DSM-5
DSM-5
The next edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , commonly called DSM-5 , is currently in consultation, planning and preparation...
, will be released in 2013. The pre-2013 version of the manual, the DSM-IV-TR includes an entry called Sexual Disorder—Not Otherwise Specified (Sexual Disorder NOS), for disorders that are clinically significant, but do not have their own code. The DSM-IV-TR notes that Sexual Disorder NOS would apply to, among other conditions, “distress about a pattern of repeated sexual relationships involving a succession of lovers who are experienced by the individual only as things to be used.”
See also
- Compulsive masturbation
- CybersexCybersexCybersex, also called computer sex, Internet sex, netsex, mudsex, TinySex and, colloquially, cybering, is a virtual sex encounter in which two or more persons connected remotely via computer network send each other sexually explicit messages describing a sexual experience...
- Don JuanismDon JuanismDon Juanism is a non-clinical term for the desire, in a man, to have sex with many different female partners; that is: a "seducer of women."The name derives from Don Juan of opera and fiction, who seems in turn to have been patterned after the Spanish noble Don Juan Tenorio. The term satyriasis is...
- HypersexualityHypersexualityHypersexuality is extremely frequent or suddenly increased sexual urges or sexual activity. Hypersexuality is typically associated with lowered sexual inhibitions. Although hypersexuality can be caused by some medical conditions or medications, in most cases the cause is unknown...
- Klüver-Bucy syndromeKlüver-Bucy syndromeKlüver-Bucy syndrome is a behavioral disorder that occurs when both the right and left medial temporal lobes of the brain malfunction. The amygdala has been a particularly implicated brain region in the pathogenesis of this syndrome. The syndrome is named for Heinrich Klüver and Paul...
- Persistent sexual arousal syndromePersistent sexual arousal syndromePersistent Genital Arousal Disorder , originally called Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome and also known as Restless Genital Syndrome or Mempin Syndrome , results in a spontaneous, persistent, and uncontrollable genital arousal, with or without orgasm or genital engorgement, unrelated to any...
- Pornography addictionPornography addictionPornography addiction, or more broadly overuse of pornography, is excessive pornography use that interferes with daily life.There is no diagnosis of pornography addiction in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , and as with the broader proposed diagnosis of sexual...
- Sexual addictionSexual addictionSexual addiction is a popular model to explain hypersexuality—sexual urges, behaviors, or thoughts that appear extreme in frequency or feel out of one's control...
- Sexual obsessionsSexual obsessionsSexual obsessions are obsessions with sex, and in the context of obsessive-compulsive disorder these are extremely common . It can become extremely debilitating, making the sufferer ashamed of the symptoms and reluctant to seek help. Preoccupation with sexual matters, however, does not only occur...