What is CSBD?

Short Answer

Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder (CSBD) is a diagnosis in the WHO's ICD-11, classified as an impulse-control disorder. It is not the same as 'porn addiction,' which is not a formal diagnosis.

Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder (CSBD) is a diagnosis in the World Health Organization’s ICD-11, classified as an impulse-control disorder. It is characterized by a persistent pattern of failure to control intense sexual impulses, resulting in significant distress or impairment.

CSBD is not the same as “porn addiction,” which is a popular term rather than a formal diagnosis. The relationship between CSBD and problematic pornography use is an active area of research, and how well the diagnosis maps onto pornography use specifically is debated.

This platform uses accurate terminology and points to the evidence layer for detailed, sourced coverage of CSBD.

Community Experience

Members rarely use the clinical term CSBD; the community tends to use 'addiction' language instead.

Scientific Evidence

CSBD is a recognized ICD-11 diagnosis, characterized by a persistent pattern of failure to control intense sexual impulses resulting in significant distress or impairment.

What We Don't Know

How well CSBD maps onto problematic pornography use, and how it should be treated, is an area of ongoing research.

What We Can Reasonably Conclude

CSBD (compulsive sexual behavior disorder) is a real ICD-11 diagnosis characterized by a persistent failure to control intense sexual impulses causing marked distress or impairment. Its inclusion reflects clinical consensus that some people's sexual behavior is genuinely disordered, even as the classification (impulse-control vs addiction) remains debated.

What the Evidence Does NOT Show

The ICD-11 classification does not establish that CSBD is an 'addiction' in the neurobiological sense — the WHO deliberately placed it with impulse-control disorders.

Why the Evidence Is Difficult to Interpret

The same behaviors can be described through addiction, compulsion, or moral frameworks, and the field has not settled which fits best.

Practical Options

• Know the formal term for accuracy, even if you use other language
• Use CSBD to understand the clinical framing when reading research
• Read the evidence layer for detailed, sourced coverage

When to Seek Help

If you meet a pattern of loss of control with significant distress or impairment, a professional can assess whether a diagnosis applies.

Related Experiences

• Day 30: Stress and Work Pressure (Example Record)

Related Research

The evidence layer lives on the knowledge base:

• csbd

This platform provides educational information, not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.