Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) — Hypersexual Disorder not included
- Authors
- American Psychiatric Association
- Year
- 2013
- Type
- Clinical guideline / classification
- Last verified
- 2026-10-04
Main question
Did the DSM-5 include a diagnosis for hypersexual behaviour?
Summary
The American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 (2013) does not include “hypersexual disorder” or “sexual addiction” as diagnoses. Proposed criteria for hypersexual disorder were considered during the DSM-5 process but were not adopted.
Why it matters
This is a significant data point in the behavioural addiction debate: the two major classification systems differ. The ICD-11 includes CSBD, while the DSM-5 does not include a comparable category. This divergence reflects genuine, unresolved scientific disagreement.
Findings
- The DSM-5 did not include 'hypersexual disorder' or 'sexual addiction' as diagnostic categories.
- Proposed criteria for hypersexual disorder were considered but not adopted, with reviewers citing insufficient evidence.
Limitations
- A classification decision, not an empirical finding; it reflects the state of the evidence as of 2013.
Clinical relevance
Documents that no such diagnosis was adopted.
Relevance to problematic pornography use
Shows the DSM-5/ICD-11 divergence on compulsive sexual behaviour.