Is Asexuality a Disorder?

Although asexuality has traditionally been viewed as a disorder, the fifth edition of the Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder shows that this is not the case [1], [2]. The most common disorder with which asexuality has been associated is Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD). However, HSDD is characterized by both a persistent lack of sexual desire and distress over that lack of desire.  Additionally, a person with HSDD would still feel sexually attracted to people, but lack the desire for sexual gratification, either by themselves or with others.  An asexual person, on the other hand, would not only feel no sexual desire and distress over the lack of desire.  Additionally, a person with HSDD would still feel sexually attracted to people, but lack the desire for sexual gratification, either by themselves or with others.  An asexual person, on the other hand, would not only feel no sexual attraction in the first place, but would also not feel that crucial element of distress.  However, the cultural pressure on asexual individuals to repress their asexuality and to behave as a "normal" sexual person can be very strong.  An asexual person who is uninformed about sexuality or lacks a strong support system may very well feel distress over their perceived "abnormality” [3]. An asexual person in this situation would still not have HSDD, since their distress may abate once the asexual person becomes more informed and accepting of asexuality.  Asexuality has also been thought to result from a deficit in the emotional or cognitive processing pathways of the brain.  This, however, is simply not true [4], [5].  Asexual individuals are as capable at recognizing and experiencing emotion as sexuals, and no cognitive deficit has been found to be common to the asexual population.

 

 

[1] “Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder.”: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. N.p.,n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2016.

[2] “Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder.”: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. N.p.,n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2016.

[3] Prause, Nicole, Cynthia A. Graham. “Asexuality: Classification and Characterization.” Springer Science and Business Media. 12 Mar. 2016.

[4] “Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder.”: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition. N.p.,n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2016.

[5] “Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder.”: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition. N.p.,n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2016.