Sex Addiction To Be Classified As A Mental Disorder

Medical Term Will Be Hypersexual Disorder (HD)

When the idea of a sex addict was floated during the Tiger Woods cheating scandal in 2009, America rolled its eyes. Three years later, however, the medical community is taking the condition quite seriously. So seriously, in fact, that sex addiction is on the cusp of being officially classified as a mental disorder.

To qualify, sex addiction needs to be included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), the American Psychiatric Association's collection of all mental conditions. This May, the DSM will be updated for the first time in 13 years and is, indeed, expected to include Hypersexual Disorder (HD).

Reportedly, patients with HD will experience "recurrent and intense sexual fantasies, urges, and behavior" for at least six consecutive months. Their hypersexuality would be uncontrollable and distressing, interfering with their normal life and leading to the possibility of self-harm. Only patients over the age of 18 would be diagnosed.

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As with any other addictions, sex addiction would not be viewed as adding pleasure to a patient's life. Rather, due to their addiction, the quality of life generally deteriorates, threatening jobs, relationships and personal health unless the behavior is treated.

Barring any new findings, HD is expected to be approved for inclusion.

What do you think about sex addiction? Do you think it should be considered a mental illness?