ADHD & Hypersexuality

Several studies have shown a clear correlation between ADHD and sexual behaviour, for many the correlation is between hypersexuality and ADHD, hypersexuality being having a greater sex drive than neurotypical individuals. For others the correlation can be hyposexuality (lower sex drive) and no sex drive (asexuality). The relationship between ADHD and hypersexuality is strong and this can have a big impact on relationships.

Hypersexuality is sometimes referred to as compulsive sexual behaviour disorder, or sexual addiction. Hypersexuality refers to an obsession with various sexual behaviours or fantasies that can negatively impact a person’s life and intimate relationships, particularly when their partners are neurotypical.  A desire for sex can become a focus for some people, particularly men, with ADHD. Impulsivity, a well know characteristic of ADHD, can intensify the thought “I need to have sex right now.” This can lead to an obsession with porn sites, availability of sex workers, “pick up” bars, beats (outdoor locations where people connect for casual sex), SOPs (sex on premise venues), and any other location where people can connect for casual and uncommitted sex. Individuals vary in their desire for casual sex.

This drive for casual sex can be measured using the Sociosexual Orientation Inventory (SOI, a psychometric assessment of each person’s need or motivation for casual sex. This inventory identifies three components of sociosexual orientation: past sexual behaviours, attitudes towards casual uncommitted sex, and desire for casual uncommitted sex. Men tended to have higher scores than women, which may be related to evolutionary genetics or may relate to social and cultural norms. For those in relationships, sociosexual orientation is a very important factor in relationship satisfaction as sociosexual orientation, particularly when related to hypersexuality, represents a person’ core beliefs, attitudes, and feelings in relation to sexual behaviour and is therefore unlikely to change.

For those with ADHD, hypersexuality can also serve other needs, such as escapism. For example, if the person is experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health problems, sex provides a form of escape via masturbation, excessive porn watching, seeing sex workers, and other uncommitted forms of sexual relief (sexual pleasure as a form of stress relief). These, potentially unhealthy forms of coping, can become addictive.

ADHD brains are known to be lower in dopamine, the neurotransmitter, that is involved in pleasure experiences. ADHD people may then seek pleasure rewarding behaviours to boost atypical dopamine levels in their brains. These behaviours include frequent masturbation, watching pornography, and frequent uncommitted casual sex.

How to manage ADHD related hypersexuality in your relationships:

1.      Communicate, communicate, communicate. Being able to talk openly and honestly about your hypersexuality is key to maintaining a successful relationship. How to manage this drive for sex, without affecting the relationship must be negotiated to the point where both partners are happy with their agreement. If this can’t be discussed together, then seeking support from a therapist is very important.

2.      If your drive for uncommitted casual sex is related to your ADHD or a mental health condition, then seek therapy or treatments for these conditions.

3.      You nay also benefit from attending a sexual addiction support group.

Summary:

ADHD can have an impact on a person’s life in many ways. It is not a disorder unless it has a significant impact on a person’s daily life, on their work, family life, social relationships, and intimate relationships. Hypersexuality may relate to ADHD lower dopamine levels, ADHD impulsivity, or a mental health condition. The important point to remember is that therapy can help you better manage your hypersexuality, particularly if associated behaviours are impacting you daily life.