The World Health Organization has officially declared sex addiction as a mental health disorder.
WHO states that a person must be suffering from this type of disorder for at least six months and also experiencing distress before being diagnosed.
Sex Addiction As A Mental Health Disorder
This announcement came after Dr. Shekhar Saxena, WHO director, declared that compulsive video-game playing is also a mental health disorder based on scientific evidence. It could also tear families apart.
Sex addiction, also known as compulsive sexual behavior disorder, is described as a person's inability to control their sexual urges, leading them to neglect their health. People who suffer from this condition do it despite not feeling any pleasure from being intimate.
Dr. Valerie Voon, a professor from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, states that in the United Kingdom, at least 2 percent to 5 percent of people suffer from this disorder. In the United States, 3 percent to 6 percent of people are suggested to suffer from it as well.
Dr. Voon stated that this behavior is usually hidden by people because it is seen as shameful, which makes it more difficult for sex addicts to seek help. She continued that WHO did the right thing in adding sex addiction to the list of mental health disorder as it will allow more people to recognize they have a problem.
The WHO director also believes that sex addiction will soon be treated on the National Health Service with other mental illnesses, including anxiety and depression.
Certain groups that help those who are suffering from the addiction stated they have seen a major increase in people seeking help over the last decade and that the treatment should be available for free.
In 2013, a questionnaire given by the Sex Addiction Help website stated that 91 percent of those looking for help for their addiction were male.
Celebrities Who Sought Treatment
Comedian and actor Russell Brand made headlines when he entered rehabilitation for his sex addiction. Brand stated the addiction gave him "a breathing space when you're outside of yourself and your own head."
Actor Michael Douglas also claimed to have suffered from the same disorder. Douglas sought treatment after he engaged in numerous affairs while married to his first wife, Diandra Luker.
Actor David Duchovny, who was married to actress Téa Leoni, also sought treatment for sex addiction after he had cheated on Leoni. Actress Lindsay Lohan also admitted to being a "crazy sex addict."
