Victoria

Final Project

According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, hypersexuality is “exhibiting

unusual or excessive concern with or indulgence in sexual activity.” (Webster)
Hypersexuality can be a symptom of many mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder
and autism. Bipolar disorder has two phases, depression and manic. During the
depression stage, a person with bipolar may feel extremely sad or hopeless. During a
manic state, a person may feel overly joyful or overexcited. During mood episodes, a
person with bipolar may be explosive and irritable. ("Bipolar disorder," 2008) During the
manic phase, people with bipolar may have strong sexual feelings. During this phase
they might act on these sexual feelings even if they feel it is inappropriate. There are
about 60% of teens with bipolar who experience being hypersexual. (Anglada) The main
point in being hypersexual that separates individuals who enjoy and engage in many
sexual acts is that hypersexual individuals utilize sexual acts to distress and manage
their emotional triggers. (Weiss, 2012) Autism is a developmental disorder that is linked
to abnormal biology and chemistry in the brain. Individuals with autism have a difficult
time developing social and communication skills. (J. Mannheim (Ed.), 2012) Some
believe that Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorder (OCD) may have hypersexuality
as a symptom. The counter argument for that is in OCD, obsessions are seen as
unwanted and not pleasurable while hypersexual obsessions are pleasurable.
(KRUEGER, MD & KAPLAN, PhD, 2001)

Bipolar affects at least 750,000 juveniles nationwide. There are about 1% of

teens between the ages of 14 and 18 that meet the criteria for bipolar. (Thompson,
2010) A teen that is still a virgin can still be hypersexual because hypersexuality is a
feeling. When someone is hypersexual, they may masturbate frequently, have sex with
multiple partners, undress in front of others, wear provocative clothing, and talk about
sex often. A huge problem with hypersexual activities is the increase risk of catching a
sexually transmitted disease. During this manic phase, teens engage in risky behaviors,
of these include unprotected sex with multiple partners. Teenage pregnancies can occur

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as a result of hypersexuality. (Anglada) Hypersexual behaviors also include watching
pornography excessively, engaging in phone sex or cyber sex, or having numerous
fantasies. (Rodriguez)

A teenager’s reputation may be socially hurt by hypersexuality. The term

“nymphomaniac” is used to describe a woman whose sexual activity is abnormally high.

The term “satyriasis” applies to men. The term nymphomaniac has a negative

connotation than the term satyriasis. Men may feel inferior to a woman who is

considered a nymphomaniac. Since there is a double standard on these terms, a

teenage girl with the label “nymphomaniac” may also be called hurtful terms however, a

teenage boy who is labeled a “satyriasis” may be seen as a role model to other

classmates. Since there are no scientific measurement for what it is considered to be

“too much” sexual activities, this term is based on a societal view. ("Nymphomania,"

2009)

A sexual addiction screening test (SAST) was first developed in 1988 to asses
patients that showed signs of compulsive behaviors. The first tests created contained 25
questions that were only accurate with heterosexual males. Now, the SAST has 45
questions that are accurate with women and homosexuals. (Is hypersexual disorder,
2011)

Varies medicines are used to treat hypersexuality. Estrogen has been used in
males in reduce their production of testosterone. This has been proven effective in
decreasing aggressiveness and hypersexual behaviors in men. Selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors have been used as well. It is thought that the effectiveness of this
medicine is a result of decreased libido. (Jones & Okere, 2008) Anti-androgen drugs
help to decrease sexual urges in males; these are also used to treat pedophiles.
Luteinizing hormone drugs lower testosterone productions to help control obsessive
thoughts. Lithium and Depakote are used to prevent individuals from experiencing

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manic episodes. Naltrexone targets the pleasure center of the brain to help control
addictive behavior. Naltrexone is used to treat individuals suffering from alcoholism and
opium addiction as well. ("Hypersexual disorder treatment," )

There are non-medicine forms of help for treating hypersexuality. Psychotherapy

is an essential part of dealing with an addiction. During these therapy sessions,

individuals will learn how to change negative thought patterns and how to deal with

internal conflicts. These therapy sessions will help individuals realize unconscious

issues and see the connection between these issues and their hypersexual addiction.

Group therapy sessions can also be a successful tool to recovering from hypersexuality.

Group members support each other while learning from each other’s experience on how

to deal with hypersexuality. Group therapy helps individuals confront their

rationalizations on their behaviors. Family members and significant others are impacted

by hypersexuality. Family and couples therapy may be used to help restore

relationships. By going to these therapy sessions, an individual will strengthen their

support systems from the ones who are closest to them. ("Hypersexual disorder

treatment," )

There have been celebrities in the media who have come out and claimed to be
suffering from hypersexuality. A famous golfer by the name of Tiger Woods checked
into a Sexual Rehabilitation center after cheating on his wife with numerous women.
Another celebrity claiming to be suffering from hypersexuality is Jesse James, Sandra
Bullock’s former husband. He had numerous affairs behind her back and checked
himself into a sexual rehabilitation center. (Is hypersexual disorder, 2011) A famous
celebrity doctor by the name of Dr. Drew Pinsky created a television show called “Sex
Rehab with Dr. Drew” where he took 9 celebrities suffering from an addiction to sex and
helped them to regain control of these urges so they can live a better lifestyle. This

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show first aired in November 2009. It was a huge success. ("Sex rehab with," ) Some
celebrities on this show were Phil Varone, Amber Smith, Nicole Narain, and Kendra
Jade. (Is hypersexual disorder, 2011)

There have been interviews and sample studies on hypersexuality. A man by the
name of Kafft-Ebbing created the term “hypersethesis sexual” to describe the first case
of an abnormal increased sexual desire. In the mid-1970’s a member of the Boston
Alcoholics Anonymous Group introduced the concept of sexual addiction. Kinsey and
his colleagues came up with the total sexual outlet (TSO). This was the total number of
orgasms experienced combined with forms of sexual outlets, such as, masturbation or
sexual intercourse. This was calculated every week and if more than 7 TSO’s occurred
in a week, then they concluded a person may be hypersexual. A man by the name of
Orford described hypersexuality as a “maladaptive pattern of use and impaired control
over a behavior with associated adverse consequences”. This was used in a book by
Cain called ‘Out of the Shadows: Understanding Sexual Addiction’ as a
psychopathological condition. (Is hypersexual disorder, 2011)

A study done by a man name Black found that the mean age of onset for
hypersexual disorders is 18. Black also found in a sample of 36 individuals reporting
hypersexual behaviors, 22% were females. Two men by the name of Carnes and
Delmonico surveyed 290 people at a sexual rehabilitation center and found 80% were
male. They also found that 84% of 76 married individuals in a 12-step recovery program
for sexual addiction were male. Carnes also found that 38% of individuals in an inpatient
treatment for sexual addiction had an eating disorder. Carnes and Delmonico found in a
sample of 290 people treated for hypersexuality, 78% of these individuals reported
childhood sexual abuse. Black also found similar results, he found in a sample of 36
individuals, 31% had experienced sexual abuse. A man by the name of McElroy
interviewed 36 male sex offenders who were in a treatment facility and found that 61%
of them had a mood disorder. He also found that 36% of them had bipolar disorder. A
man by the name of Raymond interviewed 45 males with pedophilia who were in
treatment programs and found that 93 of them met criteria for some Axis I disorder. A
man by the name of Galli interviewed 22 adolescent males who sexually molested

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children and found that 82% of them a mood disorder. In this sample, he also found that
55% of them had bipolar disorder. (KRUEGER, MD & KAPLAN, PhD, 2001) There does
not appear to be enough data to suggest whether a specific ethnic group suffers from
hypersexuality.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (or DSM for short) is
the book professionals use to diagnosis patients with mental disorders. This book was
last revised in 2000. The next version of this book will be out in 2013. There seems to
be insufficient data to support hypersexuality or sex addiction as a mental disorder.
There runs the risk of misdiagnosis and mistreatment of patients and having a health
professional’s integrity be questioned. It is uncertain whether or not Hypersexuality will
be placed in the DMS as a mental disorder. (KRUEGER, MD & KAPLAN, PhD, 2001)

Hypersexuality can be devastating to individuals who suffer from it as well

as loved ones. Hypersexuality should be taken serious because of its negative
consequences such as Sexually Transmitted Diseases. If parents see their children may
be having abnormal sexual urges or behaviors, they should seek help immediately. It
seems there may be more males experiencing hypersexuality than females but females
may be ridiculed more harshly than males. There are various treatments in place to help
individuals recover from this, whether they want to try medications or therapy or both.
Even though hypersexuality is not found in the DSM, that does not mean it does not
exist. Hypersexuality exist, there are many factors that have prevented it from being
added to the DSM. At one point, homosexuality was in the DSM but was later taken out.
There is a chance that hypersexuality will be recognized and added to the DSM.

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 Bibliography

Anglada, T. (n.d.). For girls only. Retrieved from

http://www.thebalancedmind.org/flipswitch/for-girls-only

Autism. In (2012). J. Mannheim (Ed.), A.D.A.M. Retrieved from

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002494/

Hypersexual disorder treatment. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.hypersexualdisorders.com/hypersexual-disorder-treatment/

Is hypersexual disorder an addiction? a proposed diagnosis of the dsm-v. In (2011). Is

Hypersexual Disorder an Addiction. Retrieved from
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_an_Addiction?_A_Proposed_Diagnosis_of_the_DSM-V

Jones, M., & Okere, K. (2008). Treatment of hypersexual behavior with oral estrogen in
an autistic male. 101(9), Retrieved from
http://journals.lww.com/smajournalonline/fulltext/2008/09000/treatment_of_hypersexual
_behavior_with_oral.30.aspx

KRUEGER, MD, R., & KAPLAN, PhD, M. (2001). The paraphilic and hypersexual.
Retrieved from http://epsy.tamu.edu/uploads/files/Elliott/CPSY 626/2008/paraph
hypersexual disorders.pdf

Nymphomania. (2009, April 01). Retrieved from http://health.howstuffworks.com/sexual-

health/sexual-dysfunction/nymphomania-dictionary.htm

Rodriguez, D. (n.d.). Bipolar disorde: When sexuality is in overdrive. Retrieved from

http://www.everydayhealth.com/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-disorder-and-sex.aspx

Sex rehab with dr. drew. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.vh1.com/shows/sex_rehab_with_dr_drew/series.jhtml

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Solovitch, S. (n.d.). Opening the door on hypersexuality. Retrieved from
http://www.bphope.com/Item.aspx/522/opening-the-door-on-hypersexuality

Thompson, E. (2010, December 7). Bipolar statistics in children. Retrieved from

http://www.livestrong.com/article/203016-bipolar-statistics-in-children/

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. (2008).
Bipolar disorder (NIH Publication 08-3679). Retrieved from website:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/complete-index.shtml

Webster, M. (n.d.). Hypersexual. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/hypersexual

Weiss, R. (2012). Hypersexuality: Symptoms of Sexual Addiction. Psych Central.

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