Male sexuality to be classified as a mental illness

ny2dc · 2010-02-14T14:02:37+00:00

The article linked to is almost frightening in its complete distortion of both the DSM-V and the field of psychiatry as a whole.

As pointed out below, this is NOT IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM classifying 'male sexuality' as a mental illness. They are not even classifying hypersexuality as a mental illness. There is a difference between someone falling to one end of the spectrum of a disorder, and someone having an actual 'illness.'

A person is defined as having a disorder when they meet 'x' number of 'y' criteria, and as a result the behaviors/criteria in question become debilitating to the person being able to carry out a normal life. Once the behaviors become disruptive to one's life (ie "A great deal of time is consumed") or a person cannot control them (ie "Repetitive but unsuccessful efforts to control or significantly reduce these sexual fantasies"), then there is a problem which must be addressed, and which can fall under the DSM.

Are you (or the author of your linked article) arguing that men are so consumed by their desire for multiple partners, and multiple sexual encounters, that they are unable to control themselves or function appropriately as members of society? Sure, we can argue for days over what should be defined as appropriate, but I highly doubt that you are unable to see the difference between an over-eager male sex drive, and what is being described here.

Secondly, having a disorder defined in the DSM-V DOES NOT IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM mean that suddenly a pharmaceutical intervention is going to be invented to alleviate it. While yes, I agree that in recent years psychiatry has trended more towards a 'one pill' solution, and less towards extended treatment and therapy, I doubt that the inclusion of hypersexuality is going to lead to the invention of the anti-Viagra, or the laughable oxytocin pill being described by this author.

Therapists, social psychologists, social workers, etc ALL use the DSM-V along with psychiatrists, in order to aid in their diagnosis and treatment of their patients. In these cases, this standardized definition will actually help these mental health professionals in distinguishing between what you imply is just 'normal male sexuality' and what is actually a disorder or debilitating fetish, making it easier to AVOID unnecessary attempted suppression of the male sex drive.

Not to mention, that as a female with a healthy sex drive of her own, I highly resent the implication that a desire for lots of sex is somehow an inherently male trait. Women want sex and think about sex just as much as men do, and this DSM definition would be used equally to diagnose women and men.

Alanna · 2010-02-14T16:25:13+00:00

I'll go so far as to say that equating hypersexuality to "male sexuality" is insulting to men.

InfinitelyThirsting · 2010-02-14T15:15:55+00:00

Unless you are also arguing that all men inherently have no control over themselves, hypersexuality is not male sexuality, because it includes on its checklist the desire to but inability to control or reduce one's sexual behaviours. Or completely disregarding the welfare of others. Not to mention the whole distress/impairment bit. I know women who have been hypersexual, as well as men, and it isn't healthy. There's nothing normal in what is being described. Men shouldn't be forced to be monogamous if that is not the lifestyle they desire, but any normal man is certainly capable of keeping it in his pants if a situation is inappropriate for any number of reasons.

cryptogirl · 2010-02-14T11:34:42+00:00

The proposed DSM-V language for hypersexuality is here.

It's a bit weird finding myself on this side of the debate, but I feel compelled to point out the misandry in this post: the very idea that "natural male sexuality" involves "clinically significant personal distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning," is sexist. I think you may be misreading the diagnostic criteria of the proposed disorder.

catlebrity · 2010-02-14T12:19:40+00:00

The only real science in psychiatry is that which is based upon evolutionary theory. Feminists are increasingly being allowed to pevert male science into hocus pocus – and all in order to legitimise their own evolutionary mating strategy - a ‘morality’ that, in an age of free contraception which renders polygyny relatively harmless, ought to have gone the way of belief in fairies and other superstitions. A genuine mental disorder.

Wtf is this man talking about, saying evolutionary psychology is the only valid model in psychology is no less idiotic then claiming all behaviour is learned.

dagbrown · 2010-02-14T12:30:10+00:00

draconionly

Now I have this weird mental vision of a fire-breathing onion with wings. I have the feeling that that wasn't what the author of the piece had in mind, somehow.

catlebrity · 2010-02-14T12:04:39+00:00

The deriding comments about psychiatry is telling this guy has a bit of his own axe to grind and pushing his own agenda by weakening any merits of the profession. If you want a real "disorder" how about the assumption that you have any 'rights' or actually 'deserve' a man at all, let alone one your childhood lied to you about? Disney movies are not a guide for selecting a spouse!

soomprimal · 2010-02-14T14:50:40+00:00

Buried. Article is really way off.

Hypersexuality is not male sexuality. Anything that is called "hyper" means more than usual or normal. Hypersexuality is a mental illness that manifests in compulsive sexual behavior that interferes with everyday life's functioning, like any other addiction would. If you can function through life while having massive orgies then you are not classified as having hypersexuality. If these orgies or whatever else start to turn into binges that you can no longer control, you are probably hypersexual and need help.

2010-02-14T12:59:44+00:00

Look, the DSM-V hasn't even been released yet. Once it's finished (approved), you'll see a lot of changes. As far as I know, some mebers of the DSM-V task force are trying to change the entire model by which mental illness is diagnosed. Instead of using a disease-model, they're going for more of a range-based-model ( i.e. normal behaviors at one extreme or another as opposed to a checklist of symptoms). Given this fact, hypersexuality can be a problem if it significantly impairs a person's life. Say someone is in a happy, committed, monogamous relationship. They don't want to cheat, but their libido is so out of control that they can't help themselves...well, I think we'd all agree that this is a problem. Wait until it's released before you start criticizing it.

Beyond that, I do not want science to be influenced by politics...and don't delude yourselves, pandering to us would be political. If it really is indicative of a problem, the afflicted deserve access to treatment...if they really need it. I don't think a simple desire for multiple partners, in and of itself, would be indicative of any mental problem...but, if the desire was unwanted by that individual and caused serious troubles, then it is a problem.

Wait until it's officially released; examine the evidence AND THEN decide whether or not it deserves collective outrage.

plumeria · 2010-02-15T01:16:40+00:00

I love how it isn't considered that women could want multiple partners...

Liverotto · 2010-02-14T23:36:23+00:00

It already is, not only male sexuality but male behavior.

Little male kids are given Ritalin to make them behave more like docile little girls.

Liverotto · 2010-02-14T23:43:34+00:00

Homosexuality was classified as a psychiatric illness back in the 70's.

It doesn't surprise me that sooner or later in this damn feminist society normal male behavior will be considered a disease to be cured.

If you are a man and you want to fuck an old hirsute man and be fucked in the ass by him then you are certainly sane and there is nothing wrong with you.

But if you are a man and you want to fuck alot of beautiful young women, you are clearly INSANE and need to be helped.

cryptogirl · 2010-02-14T22:41:49+00:00

Let's just get "being female" into the DSM and be done with it.

2010-02-16T06:43:14+00:00

Monogamy is the normal state of male/female relationships except in a few cultures where polygamy occurs, and polygamy actually sucks more for men than it does for women.

Whatever, this guy is so beyond logic that it would be useless to really post a rebuttal

evenlesstolose · 2010-02-14T16:07:18+00:00

I am a woman and this is terribly offensive even to me. This is the epitome of sexism, even if it is against men. Women like this are why feminism is regarded as an evil thing. Feminism has turned into propping up women and shitting on men, when really it was supposed to be the equalizing of the sexes... This makes me think that within the next 20 years, men will be given prescriptions to control their sex drive (a la "the giver").

2010-02-14T18:31:02+00:00

As a gay male, perhaps I can give an objective opinion. Yeah, it's pretty fucked up. I don't think this problem should be solved in courtrooms and hospitals. If a woman doesn't like what her husband is doing, she can leave whenever she wants. This new feminist bull-shit is obnoxious and needs to stop.

sallis · 2010-02-14T20:27:05+00:00

I really do not think that the author attributing the drive to get "male sexuality" to feminisim is correct. I really do not think that it is a feminsit view that a man needs to be controlled. I think the feminist view would be that if either partner does not agree with the sexualiy choices of the other partner, then either as a couple they need to find a way to deal with it that would suit both partners, or somebody needs to move on. I really do not think that trying to control the amount of sexual partners that men have is on the feminist agenda.

Offensive_Brute · 2010-02-14T11:26:39+00:00

make me breakfast, pack my lunch, and make me dinner, wash and press my clothes, do the dishes, breastfeed my children, and I'll keep my dick in my pants and bring home a paycheck. Deal?

otherwise, fuck you, your sister, your best friend, your best friends younger sister, your best friends mom, your cousin that i met at the wedding, that hot chick I saw picking up her valtrex prescription at walgreens, the waitress at Applebees, that homeless teenager panhandling by the onramp, and anyone else with a vagina that might amuse me.

Confucius_says · 2010-02-14T22:07:35+00:00

I hate all psychiatric drugs. I don't understand why everyone must conform to the hivemind.

You don't think like everyone else, you have a disorder! THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOU.

Title	Male sexuality to be classified as a mental illness
Author	[deleted]
Upvotes	32
Comments	44
Date	February 14, 2010 9:57 AM UTC (16 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MensRights
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/b1vzd/male_sexuality_to_be_classified_as_a_mental/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MensRights/male-sexuality-to-be-classified-as-a-mental.1050793 https://theredarchive.com/post/1050793

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