Scientific article
English

Association of ADHD and hypersexuality and paraphilias

Published inPsychiatry research, vol. 295, 113638
Publication date2021-01
First online date2020-12-10
Abstract

Subjects with ADHD suffer from inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Clinicians often assume that specific symptoms of ADHD are bound to affect sexual desire by increasing the frequency of hypersexuality. There is a lack of knowledge about the comorbidity between ADHD, hypersexuality, and paraphilias. The aim of this article was to provide a review of the literature on the association of ADHD and hypersexuality and paraphilias and to discuss the screening and the management of these syndromes when associated with ADHD. A systematic review of the literature was performed in PubMed, PsychInfo, and Embase databases. The studies reviewed show that some individuals who suffer from ADHD report hypersexuality and paraphilias, but no clear data emerged supporting the idea that hypersexuality and paraphilias are more frequent in an ADHD population. On the other hand, some studies showed a high prevalence of ADHD in hypersexual and paraphilic subjects. This is the first systematic review of hypersexuality and paraphilias in individuals with ADHD. However, the results are limited by differences in the methodology and measurement instruments for hypersexuality and paraphilias as well as by the small number of studies and the small sample sizes of many studies.

Keywords
  • ADHD
  • Attention-deficit
  • Hyperactivity
  • Hypersexuality
  • Paraphilias
  • Paraphilic disorders
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / epidemiology
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology
  • Clinical Trials as Topic / methods
  • Comorbidity
  • Compulsive Behavior / diagnosis
  • Compulsive Behavior / epidemiology
  • Compulsive Behavior / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior / physiology
  • Male
  • Paraphilic Disorders / diagnosis
  • Paraphilic Disorders / epidemiology
  • Paraphilic Disorders / psychology
  • Prevalence
Citation (ISO format)
SOLDATI, Lorenzo et al. Association of ADHD and hypersexuality and paraphilias. In: Psychiatry research, 2021, vol. 295, p. 113638. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113638
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Identifiers
Journal ISSN0165-1781
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Creation12/06/2026 07:37:56
First validation08/07/2026 08:19:03
Update08/07/2026 08:19:03
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