Sex addiction is mental illness

Compulsive sexual behaviour often gives no pleasure, affects health

Geneva: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared that sex addiction is a mental-health disorder. Known as compulsive sexual behaviour disorder, it is defined as an inability to control intense sexual urges leading to people neglecting their health despite often deriving no pleasure from being intimate, according to a report issued by the WHO. As per a report by dailymail.co.uk, patients must suffer from the disorder for at least six months before being diagnosed.

Washington, July 9: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared sex addiction is a mentalhealth disorder.

Known as compulsive sexual behaviour disorder, it is defined as an inability to control intense sexual urges leading to people neglecting their health despite often deriving no pleasure from being intimate, according to a report issued by the WHO.

Patients must suffer from the disorder for at least six months, and experience substantial distress as a result of their addiction, before being diagnosed, the report adds.

It is unclear if this move will lead to sex addiction treatment being provided on the NHS, which does not currently consider it to be a condition.

Comedian Russell Brand has been to rehab for sex addiction saying being active between the sheets gives him 'a breathing space, when you're outside of yourself and your own head'. This comes after the WHO also declared compulsive video-game playing a disorder.

According to Dr Valerie Voon, from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, between two and four per cent of people in the UK suffer from sex addiction. Three-to-six per cent are thought to have the condition in the US. She told The Sun: 'It is a behaviour that tends to be hidden as it's shameful and often sex addicts don't come forward. 'Adding this to the WHO list is an excellent step for patients as it allows them to recognise that they are suffering with a problem.

'It takes it out of the shadows and they are able to seek help for it.'

Dr Voon believes sex addiction may one day be treated on the NHS alongside conditions like depression and anxiety. Gaming addictions: This comes after Dr Shekhar Saxena, director of WHO's department for mental health, said the body listed gaming as an addiction based on scientific evidence, as well as 'the need and the demand for treatment in many parts of the world.'

It is a behaviour that tends to be hidden as it’s shameful and often sex addicts don’t come forward. Adding this to the WHO list is an excellent step for patients as it allows them to recognise that they are suffering with a problem. — Dr VALERIE VOON, Royal College Psychiatrists