WHO Classifies ‘Compulsive Sexual Behaviour’ as a Mental Illness; Facts about Sex Addiction You Didn't Know

International Classification of Diseases (ICD) which is a WHO-published diagnostic manual recently classified Compulsive Sexual Behaviour aka sex addiction as a mental illness. Sometime before it had even concluded that addiction to video games is a mental illness as well termed as gaming disorder.

Compulsive sexual behaviour is defined according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as ‘a persistent pattern of failure to control intense, repetitive sexual impulses or urges resulting in repetitive sexual behaviour’,

The characteristics of a person suffering from Compulsive Sexual Behavior defined by the WHO is clearly defined by WHO as a person who's ‘repetitive sexual activities’ turns into ‘a central focus of the person’s life to the point of neglecting health and personal care or other interests, activities and responsibilities’

Here are a few facts about Compulsive Sexual Behaviour or sex addiction that you probably didn't know.

1. Various research has noted a link between Sexual addiction and other mental health issues like Bipolar disorder and BPD. People having Bipolar Disorder or Borderline Personality Disorder usually engage themselves in violent sexual behaviour. BPD patients get into sexual activities that are unsafe as a part of their self-injury behaviour.

2. People having other sexual disorders like paedophilia, exhibitionism( mental disorder wherein the patient becomes compulsive to display one's genitals unexpectedly to a complete stranger) and extreme fetishes require way more sexual activity than normal human beings. It may not apply to all such people.

3. Children or teenagers that are intellectually delayed or challenged may develop a pattern of compulsive sexual behaviour. This could be because of not having developed an accurate knowledge of healthy sexual behaviour and sexuality.

4. Some studies have shown that persons with Asperger’s Syndrome have higher chances of manifesting Compulsive Sexual Behaviour.

5. In some cases, victims of childhood sexual abuse often repeat the pattern of abuse this may be linked to sex addiction or uncontrolled sexual behaviour.

6. Studies have proven that people indulging in substance abuse frequently have a tendency to develop behaviours of sex addicts.

7. Those with Dependent Personality Disorder may show tendencies of a sex addict as well.

Sexual addiction is manageable and the best way to deal with it is therapies. White the solution to this problem isn't that difficult, the stigma attached to sex addiction becomes a hurdle. One has to make a move and come out of the shell and look for help to manage this problem before it is too late.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 11, 2018 04:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).