Sex Addiction Now Classified as a Mental Disorder

Sex addiction – uncontrollably engaging in sexual activities now classified as a mental disorder

…logically!

Up till now, sex addiction had been classified as a condition non-diagnosable, but the latest amendment submitted to the WHA, World Health Assembly, resolved that sex addiction will be classified a kind of mental disorder starting 2022.

When we hear addiction, what comes to mind first is drugs, then maybe followed by gambling or alcohol or some obsessive behaviors. Even most dictionary definitions have “compulsive drug use” to be their first definition of addiction. But that’s not all. It also means engaging in behavior regardless of the negative consequences. Like sex.

Sex addiction then can be defined as a person’s compulsive engagement to sexual activities despite the negative consequences. Sex addiction has been a disorder classified as non-diagnosable, until lately. The reason is because sex is considered personal with each having different degrees of sexual urge.

It is not sex addiction if it doesn’t control you.

A recent research result delivered at the World Health Assembly, updated the definition of sex addiction to read, ‘a repetitive failure or inability to control or contain intense sexual urge as a result of the brain’s malfunction.’

According to the recent International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) by WHO, (World Health Organization), the notion that sexual drive is personal was disposed of since individual who is addicted to sex do not get any form of (or very little) emotional fulfillment from engaging in the compulsive sexual acts. In contrast, they are often left with feelings of shame and guilt after performing compulsive sexual activities.

Here is the detail as stated by WHO.

Signs of Sexual Addiction

The alteration in one’s thought pattern is the first sign of any addiction. Sex addiction consumes a person’s thought making the individual want to constantly engage in sex activities regardless of time and place. In addition to the unhealthiness of the whole endeavor, sex addiction has the potential to destroy a person’s relationship. Some of the obvious symptoms of addiction are reflected in masturbation, excessive participation in sex (??), cybersex or watching pornography. Patients with this disorder often have stimulation-seeking behavior in their personal and professional lives.

Other symptoms of sex addiction include having numerous sex partners and visiting sex workers regularly.

Source of sex addiction

The no specific cause or a general convention on what leads to sex addiction. Although some research results show that basal condition like loneliness and severe depression can set off compulsive sexual activities.

Risks of Sex Addiction

The foremost and immediate effect of sex addiction is the shame and guilt felt after engaging in the compulsive activities. This can subsequently lead to depression and anxiety feelings. A sex addict also stands a huge chance of setting off huge health complications like sexually transmitted infections and diseases (STDs & STIs). The other failure results in loss of quality relationships, family and friends. There are many reasons for this, maybe the sudden alienation of the sex addict or tendency to avoid human relation.

Treatment option

The reason why sex addiction has been off the list of mental disorders for so many years is that it is not detected during brain scans. But the recent International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), stated that it can be called an addiction if a person continually shows signs of compulsive sex behaviors further than 180 days.

Like alcohol, the most potent method for combating sex addiction is group therapy. Where patients with the same condition assembly to motivate then challenge each other to defeat the compulsive behavior. Medications that aid control of the intense sexual desire/urge are also prescribed by doctors.