ICD-11 Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder

The Reward Foundation is delighted to report that World Health Organization has officially recognized a new category of mental health disorder for those suffering from problematic sexual behaviours. It is an umbrella term called “compulsive sexual behaviour disorder” (CSBD) in the new eleventh revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).

A recent paper by top neuroscientists and clinicians explained this category a little further. “Distinctions may exist relating to participating predominantly in interpersonal sexual behaviors (e.g., risky casual sex with other people or paid sexual services) versus solitary behaviors (e.g., binge pornography use and masturbation).” The latter account for four out of five patients seeking treatment for CSBD according to clinicians. Only around one in five patients seek help for “interpersonal sexual behaviours”.

This CSBD category, along with the new “gaming disorder”, recognizes the development of behavioural disorders in the wake of widespread use of mobile internet devices. The CSBD diagnostic category promises help for the thousands of individuals affected by out of control pornography use and compulsive masturbation. Now we just need to make doctors and psychotherapists aware of it!

Description

ICD-11 Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder

Here is the definition: “Compulsive sexual behaviour disorder is characterized by a persistent pattern of failure to control intense, repetitive sexual impulses or urges resulting in repetitive sexual behaviour. Symptoms may include repetitive sexual activities becoming a central focus of the person’s life to the point of neglecting health and personal care or other interests, activities and responsibilities; numerous unsuccessful efforts to significantly reduce repetitive sexual behaviour; and continued repetitive sexual behaviour despite adverse consequences or deriving little or no satisfaction from it. The pattern of failure to control intense, sexual impulses or urges and resulting repetitive sexual behaviour is manifested over an extended period of time (e.g., 6 months or more), and causes marked distress or significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. Distress that is entirely related to moral judgments and disapproval about sexual impulses, urges, or behaviours is not sufficient to meet this requirement.”

Can healthcare providers implement this diagnostic category yet?

The answer is yes. The new June release of the ICD-11 is here: ICD-11 – Mortality and Morbidity Statistics – CSBD is bookmarked.

From this WHO slideshow https://hscic.kahootz.com/gf2.ti/f/762498/37081445.1/PDF/-/ICD11.pdf, note the following:

Slide 16 – This June, 2018 version is the “Version for Implementation.”

Slide 30 – From this June release on, the classification is stable, and the set of categories is considered complete.

The next steps are formal recommendation to the World Health Assembly to adopt it (January, 2019) and WHA adoption (May, 2019) to come into effect on 1 January 2022.

So, it’s official that “Compulsive sexual behavior disorder” is in the implementation version. That version is stable now. And, eventually, the ICD-11 will be adopted and come into effect.