Hypersexual Disorder is a new psychiatric label that is being proposed (i.e. it is not yet agreed upon and in use) for the next revision of the DSM. In plain language, Hypersexual Disorder describes a condition where someone is thinking too much, wanting too much, and/or having too much sex. But the sex that they're thinking, wanting, or having, wouldn't otherwise be considered pathological. It is proposed to be the other end of the spectrum for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder which already exists as a diagnosis and describes someone who has a low desire for sex.
A complete description of what would qualify someone as having Hypersexual Disorder can be found here but briefly, to have Hypersexual Disorder an individual must experience for a minimum of six months "recurrent and intense sexual fantasies, sexual urges, and sexual behavior" that is associated with at least four of five criteria which they describe. The criteria include:
- having "a great deal of time" consumed with fantasies, urges, planning or having sex,
- repeatedly having fantasies, urges, or sex in response to anxiety, depression, boredom or irritability,
- repeatedly having fantasies, urges, or sex in response to stress,
- repeatedly being unsuccessful at trying to control fantasies, urges, or behavior,
- repeatedly having sex despite physical or emotional risk to yourself or others.
For it to qualify as Hypersexual Disorder the person also must experience "significant personal distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning associated with the frequency and intensity of these sexual fantasies, urges, and behavior."
At this point the diagnosis is being proposed. Anyone may read the proposed definition and submit comments to the DSM committee for consideration.
