Sexuality in Adults With ADHD: Results of an Online Survey

Abstract

Establishing a secure sexual identity is a major developmental goal of an individual's transition from childhood to adolescence and the years that follow. Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by the core symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, but also with emotional dysregulation, oppositional behaviors, or disorganization appearing early in life, can affect several areas of an individual's personal and social development, including sexual health. Yet, the scientific knowledge about the relationship between ADHD and sexual functioning is still scarce. Using an anonymous online survey, we compared different sexual behaviors including risky sexual behaviors, hypersexual behaviors, and sexual dysfunctions between 206 individuals with (n = 139) and without (n = 76) ADHD. Individuals with ADHD reported significantly more hypersexual behaviors than non-ADHD individuals, whereas no differences were found concerning risky sexual behaviors or sexual dysfunctions. In women with ADHD, hypersexual behaviors, sexual risk-taking as well as sexual dysfunctions were closely related to symptoms of emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and oppositional symptoms. In men with ADHD, the associations between ADHD symptomatology and the sexuality-related measures were less clear, however, signs of emotional dysregulation seemed to be relevant as well. Since individuals with ADHD seem to be at an increased risk of some peculiarities in sexual behavior, sexuality-related issues should be routinely addressed during clinical consultations to provide more holistic treatment in order to enhance individual well-being and quality of life.

Paraphilias in ADHD and their Association with Hypersexuality

“…However, in the logistic regression not impulsivity but temper was the only ADHD associated symptom that signi cantly predicted the presence of any paraphilic sexual behaviors in the ADHD group. Similarly, in a previous study, we found that hypersexuality is related to symptoms of emotional dysregulation in adults with ADHD (13). It has been suggested that sexual behaviors are used by some individuals to relieve negative affect and to cope with affective symptoms, which might be the reason why temper as a speci c feature of emotional dysregulation is also related to paraphilic behaviors.…”

“…In a large online study including more than 14,000 individuals, adult ADHD symptoms were associated with problematic pornography use and hypersexuality (21). Similar ndings were recently reported by Gregorio Hertz et al (13). In contrast, in a recent systematic review and metaanalysis, a similar rate of hypersexual behaviors was found in individuals with ADHD compared to the general population (22,23).…”

“…Previous research has suggested that ADHD might also go along with peculiarities in sexual functioning and sexual well-being (12,13). Thereby, a healthy sexuality is closely related to overall well-being and overall quality of life (14).…”

Investigating the Associations of ADHD Symptoms, Impulsivity, Physical Exercise, and Problematic Pornography Use in a Chinese Sample

“…Impulsivity is a multidimensional construct (e.g., sensation seeking, negative urgency, positive urgency, lack of perseverance, lack of premeditation), referring to the tendency to act prematurely and without foresight, and is agreed to be a core symptom of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) [ 19 , 20 ]. Therefore, ADHD is a non-negligible potential comorbidity when examining the role of impulsivity.…”

“…Previous studies have revealed solid association between ADHD and hypersexuality/CSBD [ 23 , 24 ]. In line with the potential relationship patterns of ADHD and hypersexuality/CSBD, ADHD should be considered one of the predisposing factors for PPU, as PPU may represent a prominent manifestation of hypersexuality/CSBD [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Moreover, in the few studies that have explored ADHD and PPU directly, ADHD symptoms positively and moderately predicted PPU [ 18 ]; ADHD and attachment difficulties contributed significantly to the variance of PPU, and explained 34% of the variance in PPU [ 25 ].…”