Pacer Pillowtalk: Hypersexuality

Hypersexuality, more commonly known as sex addiction and hypersexual disorder, is “a proposed diagnosis for people who engage in sex or think about sex through fantasies and urges more than normal.”

The existence of hypersexuality as a “disorder” is under debate. Though through a controversial decision by professionals, it was added to the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases, however, it is not a part of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Like anxiety and depression, there is no known cause for hypersexuality. Similarly, it is often induced by trauma and the environment and sometimes classified as an addictive disorder.

Although the behavior itself was not included in the DSM-5, there are several criteria that may be used to identify hypersexuality. These criteria must be seen for at least six months, and include:

-Often, recurrent sexual urges or behaviors

-Sexual behaviors that interfere with daily tasks

-Behaviors occurring in response to dysphoric or stressful moods

-Consistent but unsuccessful engagement in controlling urges, fantasies, or behaviors

-Engaging in behaviors without regards to harm of self or others

-The frequency of behaviors causes distress or impairment.

Common activities of someone with hypersexuality include masturbation, cybersex, multiple partner sex, and pornography.

There is an increased risk of hypersexuality in people who have substance use problems, another mental health disorder, family conflict and a history of physical or sexual abuse, according to the Mayo Clinic. They can occur separately or be multiple influences to hypersexual behavior.

Those struggling with controlling hypersexual impulses are encouraged to seek therapy.