Call us: (714) 683-1472
e-mail: info@orangecoastpsychiatry.com

Hypersexuality and ADHD: What’s the Connection?

Hypersexuality and ADHD: What’s the Connection?

Blog Outline

ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder has many different symptoms and traits. One of 

these can be hypersexuality or hyposexuality (which is to have unsatisfactory sex lives). So, why is that the case and what is the connection that binds hypersexuality and ADHD together? Let’s find out in the world while also specifically discussing ADHD hypersexuality. 

Defining ADHD 

ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a mental condition, predominantly diagnosed during childhood, that is characterized by symptoms such as procrastination, inattentiveness, inability to retain focus, restlessness, and others that attack the executive functioning of the affected individual directly. Executive functioning is your body’s functions and actions that help you sustain and service as a human. So, when executive functioning is affected then life can become extremely debilitating, and daily life is deeply affected, hurting your things such as relationships or work performance. 

Read More: Everything about Emotional Dysregulation in ADHD

Defining Hypersexuality

Hypersexuality in a gist is an increased libido and excessive sexual interests that usually stem from certain neurological changes (such as the one stemming from sex addiction, substance abuse, or a whole different mental condition entirely) in your brain but can be present normally to, which makes it difficult to acknowledge its presence. It results in excessive or uncontrolled sexual thoughts, fantasies, and behaviors. It is more debilitating for men than women because of their higher propensity toward porn(1)

As people with hypersexuality are unable to regulate their sexual desires properly, it frequently leads to problems in relationships, and at times social isolation and sexual dysfunction. 

Common signs of hypersexuality include:

  • Spending excessive time on thoughts of sexual behavior
  • Unable to control or reduce sexual urges in spite of the negative consequences
  • Sex is used as a coping mechanism for things like stress, anxiety, or depression
  • Engaging in risky sexual behaviors, like having unprotected sex or high-risk positions that can make STD transfusion possible 
  • Feeling guilt or shame about your sexual behaviors
  • Having a hard time maintaining relationships due to infidelity or prioritizing sex over your day-to-day life

What’s the Connection Between ADHD and Hypersexuality?

Hypersexuality is essentially a common symptom of ADHD. That is not entirely correct because the main symptoms of ADHD, namely, impulsivity and hyperactivity likely result in increased libido (this probably answers a question like: Does ADHD affect sex drive?). This also motivates them to go out and seek out risky behavior and hypersexual fantasies as dopamine, the neurotransmitter capable of making you feel good, is deficient in people suffering from ADHD, which adds to their plight and probably motivates them to do something risky in terms of sexual activity. This was reportedly evidenced in a 2022 study done at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom(2). The experts reported significantly more often about a wide range of hypersexual fantasies and risky behaviors in comparison to those without ADHD. 

Sex is essentially an enjoyable experience very much like video games and provides a welcomed distraction from distressing ADHD symptoms like excessive boredom, high anxiety, or stress. Additionally, people with hypersexuality and ADHD can dwell in escapism, which takes place when their sense of outside pressures and expectations aren’t being met, they will take matters into their own hands to meet their needs by engaging in self-stimulation. Escapism like it is a common factor in compulsive behaviors.

These are the common symptoms that might signal the affected individual is going toward ADHD hypersexuality: 

Hope this answers questions like, “Is hypersexuality a symptom of ADHD”!

Read More: Understanding ADHD Mood Swings: A Journey Through Emotional Waves

How Hypersexuality Impacts ADHD and You?

Like ADHD is fond of disrupting an affected individual’s life, hypersexuality does that in a bigger way – affecting their romantic relationships, especially when the cause is infidelity, which is a common symptom of hypersexuality. People who are high on hypersexuality will focus on seeking gratification all the time and that will affect their focus so much that it would be difficult for them to give attention to work or school. This way performance will essentially suffer tremendously. 

Furthermore, for people with ADHD, frequent masturbation or watching pornography as a form of self-soothing is the norm, which takes up time and can become an unhealthy habit. In addition to that, this gratification-seeking behavior will eventually lead the affected individual to a place of low self-esteem as broken relationships, poor performance at work or school, and simply the inability to focus on something can make you feel low about yourself. 

All of these actions intensify feelings of shame, guilt, or self-loathing, making the existing feelings of self-esteem issues even worse, which also leads to isolation, and any impulsive spending on sexual activities, for example getting an escort service, may also lead to financial strain. In addition to the financial strain, you will also be in danger as having a lot of partners and engaging in a variety of sexual activities will lead you to catch a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or sexually transmitted disease (STD). 

Hyposexuality and ADHD

Hypersexuality is not the only thing that is persistent as an indirect symptom of ADHD, as there is only one other thing that has a similar spelling but is exactly the opposite of it – hyposexuality. It is essentially also the answer to a question like – Does ADHD affect sex drive? –  well it does and it does so by lowering the sex drive to negligible levels, which is when they often lose all interest in sexual activity. But this usually happens when there is a comorbidity of conditions like depression with hyposexuality and ADHD. It can also be the result of using antidepressants that are prescribed for treating ADHD. 

Managing Hypersexuality and ADHD 

There are some ways you can make some changes to your lifestyle so you can properly ADHD and hypersexuality:

Finding an alternate activity that is also highly stimulating

When you are feeling hypersexual, remind yourself that your brain needs dopamine. Instead of opting for sex, try to find an alternative activity that indeed gives you the dopamine boost but without the risks. For example, try playing a stimulating board game or going on the treadmill.

Inform Your Partner 

If you are open to communication and are not afraid of telling them the truth, it will allow them to be more supportive of you as the picture will be clear for them. 

Practice Mindfulness

With the help of mindfulness, you can become more aware of your thoughts and urges. Mindfulness is also helpful in reducing stress and therefore decreases the likelihood of using hypersexuality as a form of escapism.

Treating Hypersexuality and ADHD 

In addition to these lifestyle changes, treatment like medication and psychotherapy but before embarking on these treatment methods, it is always a good idea to take an ADHD hypersexuality test, which combines the testing of ADHD and hypersexuality in one space. That would mark if you indeed need therapy or medication or rings true that hypersexuality is really there. After that, you can essentially move to the next step. Therapy and medication are also very good at treating both hypersexuality and ADHD, so it is always a good idea to go with them. Let’s see why but don’t forget that asking for help is not something to be ashamed of, and is the key step to breaking an ADHD hypersexuality addiction, so never ignore it as a treatment option.

Therapy

Effective treatment options for managing ADHD and hypersexuality via therapy include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

It’s a structured, goal-oriented type of talk therapy (psychotherapy) that helps you become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking. You can essentially view these challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way. It is helpful in treating both hypersexuality and ADHD that way. 

Sexual Therapy

If you are already getting your ADHD treated but its biggest proxy symptom, hypersexuality is not budging as it can make a habit of, you can use sex therapy to get rid of it. A sex therapist can educate about hypersexual and will also provide strategies for improving sexual function and pleasure while getting rid of hypersexuality. 

Couples Therapy 

If it is the case that the problem with ADHD and hypersexuality is leading you and your toward relationship problems or infidelity, then why not try this type of therapy? It can help your partner understand issues associated with hypersexuality and ADHD.

Medication 

ADHD medications such as stimulants and antidepressants such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) can help a person combat their ADHD-induced impulsivity and hyperactivity. If ADHD is treated then hypersexuality is automatically treated. But please note that these medicines, even though prescribed, can also lead to sexual dysfunction and hyposexuality. For that refer to your mental health expert to get clear and concise recommendations on medication. You can always complement medication with the therapies described above. 

Read More: ADHD vs Bipolar Disorder: Comparing The Two Conditions

Wrapping up

As you have read it just previously, clear communication and prioritizing real sex in a more intimate way are just some ways people with ADHD can manage these challenges. If these do not work, then you can always refer to Orange Coast Psychiatry to treat hypersexuality and ADHD or other mental conditions such as Mood Disorder, Panic Disorder, MDD, trauma, Bipolar disorder, or Acute stress

References and Footnotes
  1. Beáta Bőthe, Mónika Koós, István Tóth-Király, Gábor Orosz, Zsolt Demetrovics, Investigating the Associations Of Adult ADHD Symptoms, Hypersexuality, and Problematic Pornography Use Among Men and Women on a Large Scale, Non-Clinical Sample, The Journal of Sexual Medicine, Volume 16, Issue 4, April 2019, Pages 489–499, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.01.312
  2. Gregório Hertz P, Turner D, Retz W. Sexuality in ADHD: empirical data concerning hypersexual and paraphilic fantasies and behaviors in adults with ADHD. European Psychiatry. 2022;65(S1):S283-S283. doi:10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.725
  3. Volkow ND, Wang G, Kollins SH, et al. Evaluating Dopamine Reward Pathway in ADHD: Clinical Implications. JAMA. 2009;302(10):1084–1091. doi:10.1001/jama.2009.1308

Frequently Asked Questions

Due to different types of psychosocial and neurological factors.

Make lifestyle changes, such as exercising or getting involved in recreational activities.

Latest Post

Top Facts About Gender Dysphoria You Should Know

Gender dysphoria is a kind of mental health disorder that is linked with several misconceptions. It is typically known as gender identity disorder, caused due to detachment in a person’s assigned birth gender and expressed gender, or in simpler terms the gender they are comfortable or have a sense of

Read More »

Jingle All The Way For A Better Christmas Mental Health

Christmas is often seen to be linked with happiness and joy due to the reason for celebration behind it. However, this joy can turn into distress and challenge real soon. There are several reasons that are responsible for the challenges of this season. Moreover, it is totally fine if you

Read More »

Richard Samedra.

PMHNP-BC

Richard Samedra, PMHNP-BC, is a Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. He brings over 12 years of experience in the mental health field, working with clients facing a wide range of acute and chronic mental health conditions. His journey began as a Licensed Vocational Nurse and Charge Nurse at Westminster Therapeutic Residential Treatment, where he supported clients dealing with anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders. Richard’s dedication was centered on helping these individuals improve their mental health and transition to a lower level of care, whether that meant returning to their families, a board and care facility, or a sober-living environment.

Motivated by a growing passion for mental health care, Richard pursued his Registered Nurse (RN) education at Saddleback Community College and later transitioned to La Palma Intercommunity Hospital Behavioral Health. In this role, he specialized in geriatric psychiatry, working with older adults experiencing conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, depression, and anxiety. This experience solidified his commitment to mental health, leading him to work at Bellflower Community Hospital, where he provided care for patients experiencing severe psychiatric crises, including suicidal ideation, manic and depressive episodes, substance use disorders, and exacerbated schizophrenia symptoms.

Inspired by the impactful work of PMHNPs at Bellflower, Richard enrolled in the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Azusa Pacific University. To broaden his expertise, he worked full-time at College Hospital Costa Mesa while completing his studies. There, he gained comprehensive experience across various units, including adolescent, acute men’s and women’s, stabilization, and detox/med-surg. Now, as a PMHNP, Richard is committed to leveraging his diverse background and knowledge to provide compassionate, comprehensive care to those in need.

Richard currently practices as a Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry, where he is supervised by Dr. Montgomery.

 

Shaheena Gazipura

PMHNP-BC

Shaheena Gazipura is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over 9 years of dedicated experience in both inpatient and outpatient mental health care. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California.

Shaheena began her career working on an adult psychiatric inpatient unit before transitioning to the geriatric psychiatric inpatient unit at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. In addition to her clinical work, Shaheena also serves as a Nursing Clinical Instructor, guiding the next generation of nurses through their mental health rotations at a large community college.

Shaheena is a passionate advocate for mental health, believing that it is a fundamental pillar of overall well-being. She is committed to reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and strives to provide comprehensive, compassionate care that honors each individual’s unique experiences and challenges. Her goal is to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where patients feel empowered to work alongside her in achieving their mental health goals.

Outside of her professional life, Shaheena enjoys exploring new culinary experiences, staying active through exercise, and planning her next travel adventures.

Shaheena currently practices as a Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry, where she is supervised by Dr. Barrios.

Clint Nacar

PMHNP-BC

Clint Nacar, PMHNP-BC is a Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Mr. Nacar graduated from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. Currently Mr. Nacar works in an inpatient psychiatry unit at a leading academic medical center in Los Angeles, Renewed Mental Health Group, and Orange Coast Psychiatry

Mr. Nacar brings over 7+ years of experience with the mental health population. He works to help patients take control of their mental health through patient education, psychotherapy and medication management. Mr. Nacar’s areas of focus include: Depression, Anxiety, Adjustment Disorder, Bipolar disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Mr. Nacar treats children ages 6+, adolescents, and adults, offering both in-person services and telehealth at Renewed Mental Health Group.

With the collaboration of each patient, Mr. Nacar strives to develop individualized plans of care addressing each patient’s unique situation and concerns. He also encourages each patient to take charge of their mental health through a holistic approach while also employing the latest evidence based practices in treatment.

Clint is one of our most experienced Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners at Orange Coast Psychiatry and is 103NP Licensed in the State of California.

Cristian Cuevas

PMHNP-BC (Fluent in Spanish)

Cristian Cuevas, PMHNP-BC, is a highly skilled board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with over seven years of experience in inpatient psychiatry and mental health.

A California State University Long Beach graduate, Cristian also earned recognition as a board-certified psychiatric mental health registered nurse. With a wealth of expertise in adult psychiatric care across the lifespan, Cristian has successfully diagnosed and treated a diverse range of mental health disorders.

Additionally, his specialized experience in child and adolescent inpatient populations further enhances his ability to provide comprehensive and compassionate mental health care.

Cristian Cuevas is the Lead Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry and is supervised by Dr Barrios.

Griselda Hernandez

PMHNP-BC (Fluent in Spanish)

As a licensed Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with a robust background in psychiatric and substance abuse nursing, Griselda provides compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals facing mental health and addiction challenges. The core of her practice focuses on promoting holistic wellness, fostering resilience, and empowering patients in their recovery journey. Specializing in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of adolescents with various mental health disorders, Griselda strives to create a therapeutic environment where patients feel valued, respected, and supported.
“My approach is grounded in years of diverse experience, including work in psychiatric units and medical detox units for both adults and adolescents. This extensive background has equipped me with the skills and knowledge to manage complex psychiatric and substance abuse conditions effectively. I am committed to staying updated with the latest advancements in psychiatric care, integrating cutting-edge therapies and best practices into my treatment plans. Collaboration is key to my practice; I work closely with multidisciplinary teams, families, and community resources to provide coordinated and comprehensive care tailored to each individual’s unique needs.”
Griselda holds a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Psychiatric-Mental Health from West Coast University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. Additionally, she is fluent in the English and Spanish language, enhancing her ability to connect with a diverse patient population.
Griselda currently practices as a Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry, where she is supervised by Dr. Barrios.

Dr Barrios

Board-Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr. Carlos Barrios is a Board-Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with over two decades of experience in mental health care. His expertise in telepsychiatry has allowed him to serve patients across California and beyond. In his practice, Dr Barrios integrates metabolic and functional methodologies, focusing on guiding patients toward medication independence and emphasizing the connection between physical and mental health.
Outside of his professional life, Dr Barrios is passionate about kettlebell training, which helps him maintain my physical and mental wellness. He cherishes visiting his family in Guatemala, to reconnecting with his cultural roots and rejuvenating his spirit. Dr Barrios is also deeply involved in transcendental meditation and rucking, practices that not only provide him with tranquility but also keep him grounded and connected to nature. These hobbies reflect his commitment to a holistic approach to health, both personally and professionally.