Association of ADHD and hypersexuality and paraphilias

Lorenzo Soldati, Francesco Bianchi-Demicheli, Pauline Schockaert, John Köhl, Mylène Bolmont, Roland Hasler, Nader Perroud

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

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.

Original languageEnglish
Article number113638
JournalPsychiatry Research
Volume295
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The study was supported by the Swiss National Center of Competence in Research , “Synapsy: the Synaptic Basis of Mental Diseases” [grant number. 51NF40-185897 ].

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Biological Psychiatry

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Journal Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Systematic Review

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