The DSM Criteria of Sexual Dysfunction: Need for a Change

2008/04/08 by Richard Balon · 4 citations
Medicine · Psychology · Social Sciences · #Sexual function and dysfunction studies #Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology #Marriage and Sexual Relationships #Distress #Psychology #Sexual dysfunction #Diagnostic test #Reliability (semiconductor) #Clinical psychology #Psychotherapist #Psychiatry #Medicine #Pediatrics

paper · doi:10.1080/00926230701866067

openalex publication_date 2008/04/08 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

This article discusses the flaws of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria of sexual dysfunctions. It focuses on issues such as what constitutes sexual dysfunction, whether the diagnostic criteria should include duration, intensity, and frequency, and whether distress should be used as a diagnostic criterion. Other controversial issues such as normalcy of sexual functioning and validity of some diagnostic entities are also discussed. The upcoming revision of the DSM diagnostic criteria should consider all these possible changes. Field trials to examine various criteria and their validity and reliability will probably be necessary.

Citations

• Thesis Preparatory Booklet - Contemporary Design and Historical Sensitivity; Design of a Museum and Cultural Center in Pondicherry, India
• Sexual Dysfunction in the United States
• DSM and the Death of Phenomenology in America: An Example of Unintended Consequences
• Sexual addiction, sexual compulsivity, sexual impulsivity, or what? Toward a theoretical model
• My Personal Distress Over the Inclusion of Personal Distress
• Asexuality: Classification and Characterization

Cited by

• The DSM Diagnostic Criteria for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Men
• The DSM Diagnostic Criteria for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Women
• The DSM Diagnostic Criteria for Female Sexual Arousal Disorder
• Hypoactive sexual desire disorder [wikipedia]

Related

• Proposal for Changes in Diagnostic Criteria for Sexual Dysfunctions
• Estimating the Prevalence of Sexual Function Problems: The Impact of Morbidity Criteria
• The DSM Diagnostic Criteria for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Men
• Sexual dysfunction: Overview of prevalence, etiological factors, and treatments
• HSDD and asexuality: a question of instruments