Hypersexuality in dementia

Hugh Series is a consultant in the psychiatry of old age with Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare NHS Trust, working at the Warneford Hospital (Warneford Lane, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK. Tel./fax: 01865 226263; e-mail: hugh.series{at}oxmhc-tr.nhs.uk). His research interests include the neurochemistry of the serotonergic system. Pilar Dégano is a clinical pharmacist, also at the Warneford Hospital.

Sexually disinhibited behaviours are quite common (prevalence 2–17%) in people with dementia, occurring with about equal frequency in men and women. Assessment of the behaviours, the contexts in which they arise and their risks is essential. It is important to manage the environment and to educate and discuss the issues with carers and families. Behavioural measures are helpful, although no specific behavioural intervention has been shown to be effective in this area. Several classes of drug may help to control the behaviours, but all are potentially harmful and none is licensed for hypersexuality in this population.