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This disorder can have significant effects on adult life. For example, a person with ADHD may have a poor self-image and difficulty maintaining a stable relationship or job. The effects on sexuality ADHD can be hard to measure. This is because sexual symptoms may be different in each person.
What are some of the Sexual Issues with People Diagnosed with ADHD?
There are various ways that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can affect your sex life. If you live with the disease, you might notice that you are hypersensitive to sensory stimulation, making sensual touch irritating and even annoying. You may also perhaps have your level of sexual desire change drastically from one day to the next.
On the flip side, some people with the disorder have such a high sex drive and need for stimulation and novelty, such as pornography, that it causes problems in a partnership. People with this disorder may also be prone to sexual risk-taking such as unprotected sex or having multiple sex partners. The disorder is associated with a drop in neurotransmitters, which may lead to these types of impulsive behaviors.
What tips for better sex life for people or partners with ADHD?
It is crucial to take ADHD medications as prescribed, and the good news is that many don’t lower sex drive or sexual desire. Because they increase your ability to focus, they may improve your sex life. On the other hand, SSRI antidepressants are sometimes prescribed for anxiety and depression, which are common in those with this disorder and can lower their sex drive. If that is a significant issue or concern, bring it up with your physician. You may be able to lower the dose or switch medications. Also, there are several steps you can take to overcome your challenges from this disorder in the bedroom.
- Get rid of distractions. Since it can be difficult enough to stay engaged during intercourse, remove anything around you that might cause you to lose focus. You might also practice releasing the stresses of the day through meditation, yoga, or journaling before getting under the sheets with your partner to get ahead of any worries on your mind.
- Communication is key. If your ADHD is causing sexual issues, tell your partner that your distraction or other ADHD-driven behaviors are not their fault. Share what you like and what bothers you during foreplay and sex. If you don’t like certain smells or lighting, set up your environment in a more comfortable way. If you don’t enjoy certain positions or types of sex, tell your partner what you prefer. If your partner has ADHD, encourage them to share with you and listen without judgment openly.
Seek the health of a qualified sex therapist or mental health professional. Many couples with ADHD benefit from talk therapy and counseling to improve their sex lives. It helps open the lines of communication and bring clarity to misunderstandings and arguments, which leads to more intimacy and, by extension, better sex.
Is there a medication for ADHD for sexual-related problems?
Solving sexual issues brought on by this disorder often involves successfully treating the disorder. Treatments include:
- Medication. Finding a medication that can suppress the impulses and hyperactivity of ADHD without affecting your sex drive may be a process of trial and error. Still, you should be better able to focus on and enjoy sex. The recommended medication is Clonidine Hcl. It is a non-stimulant medication that can be used as a second-line treatment for ADHD in people who don’t experience complete relief from symptoms with stimulants;
- Therapy. Different types of therapy can help adults with ADHD. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you better understand how adult ADHD is controlling your behavior and take steps to prevent it from recurring. Psychotherapy can help you get to the root of the disorder and the damage it has done to your life.
