‘Compulsive sexual behaviour’ is a real mental disorder, says WHO, but might not be an addiction
Global health body not yet ready to acknowledge ‘sex addiction’, saying more research is needed
The World Health Organisation has recognised “compulsive sexual behaviour” as a mental disorder, but said on Saturday it was unclear whether it was an addiction on a par with gambling or drug abuse.
The contentious term “sex addiction” has been around for decades but experts disagree about whether the condition exists.
In the latest update of its catalogue of diseases and injuries around the world, the WHO takes a step towards legitimising the concept, by acknowledging “compulsive sexual behaviour disorder”, or CSBD, as a mental illness.
But the UN health body insisted more research is needed before describing the disorder as an addiction.
“Conservatively speaking, we don’t feel that the evidence is there yet … that the process is equivalent to the process with alcohol or heroin,” said WHO expert Geoffrey Reed.