ADHD and sexual orientation | ADHD Information
I hope this isn't inappropriate, because I'm really curious. Does anyone have any idea if there is a correlation between ADD/ADHD and bisexuality? Personally I'm bi, and ADD, and I have known others... and I'm just wondering what are peoples thoughts on the ADD/ADHD having something to do with that?Here is where I make the jokes about multi-tasking and indecisiveness:P But the rest was a serious question!
Interesting question.
There was a UMASS study of adults with ADHD that touched on this. While sexual orientation was not offically studied, they did poll the participants. I don't remember the particulars but I do seem to remember that there was a higher percentage of bisexuals in the ADHD group than the non ADHD group.
[QUOTE=iamsamz]
Interesting question.
There was a UMASS study of adults with ADHD that touched on this. While sexual orientation was not offically studied, they did poll the participants. I don't remember the particulars but I do seem to remember that there was a higher percentage of bisexuals in the ADHD group than the non ADHD group.
[/QUOTE]
Thanks for answering this, I'd begun to think I'd crossed some line. While I do find that study interesting, I'm not at all surprised, I may have to look into it further, because you know, with work, school, kids, marriage and a social life... I really need something else to try and pursue;P
I'm the same way. Never felt the need to justify it. [QUOTE=postmoderndoll]I'm the same way. Never felt the need to justify it. [/QUOTE]
Not justifying, just curious, nosy, brain is always ticking you know?
That's an interesting question. I never really stopped to think about it before, but perhaps it has to do with always looking for new and exciting things?
Zillah,
I actaully was going to answer it sooner but I got distracted .
"perhaps it has to do with always looking for new and exciting things? "
Thrill seeking is definetly one of the traits of ADHD but I'm not sure that is what alternate sexual orientations are all about. Promoscuity in any type of relationship can satisfy that thrill seeking need but being bisexual or homosexual does not automatically designate one as being promiscuous. Bisexuality by definition does not even really dictate that a sexual relationship has to take place. I've been sexually attracted my share of people but that doesn't mean I've just jumped in the sack with everyone of them just for the sake of doing something new and different. I believe that sexuality goes beyond the physical act alone.
[QUOTE=iamsamz]
Zillah,
I actaully was going to answer it sooner but I got distracted 
.
"perhaps it has to do with always looking for new and exciting things? "
Thrill seeking is definetly one of the traits of ADHD but I'm not sure that is what alternate sexual orientations are all about. Promoscuity in any type of relationship can satisfy that thrill seeking need but being bisexual or homosexual does not automatically designate one as being promiscuous. Bisexuality by definition does not even really dictate that a sexual relationship has to take place. I've been sexually attracted my share of people but that doesn't mean I've just jumped in the sack with everyone of them just for the sake of doing something new and different. I believe that sexuality goes beyond the physical act alone.
[/QUOTE]
I quite agree with you, and the stereotype that bi/gay folks are promiscuous is distressing. But it is prevalent especially with bi folks. I guess I would be considered polyamorous as well as bi, as I am married, and anyone else I'm involved with in any way means something fairly serious to me, I don't give any affection on a whim. So for me the new and exciting theory doesn't hold true.
I have to wonder if it isn't in part the sensory experience that is the correlation, with same sex encounters the whole stimulus is different.
I wish I could elaborate, but I'm very tired, and my brain isn't spitting out the answers I want fast enough.
Thanks again for your input everyone!
Hmmm. Well, I lived 37 years before Dx ADD. And I was promiscuous during the college years. And I didn't 'learn' the concept of staying faithful until age 25 when I was cheated on... and it hurt... I was always thinking the grass was greener elsewhere... now I realize I was looking for new excitement when a relationship became mundane. I didn't have a clue then I suffered from ADD. I had two same-sex relationships, one a one-nighter, and the other a 3 year live together relationship. I never gave myself a label. I simply 'loved who I loved' regardless of their physical sex. Now I am 38, never married or had kids, and all I long for is to settle down with my boyfriend whom I've known for 17 years (he knows all about my past) and HAVE a wonderfully stable, loving and committed relationship with just him. So in my case, to answer your question for me is that I have a liberal mind, and since I was curious how the other side lived, I tried it. It was fun and different, I learned a tremendous lot, and I wouldn't change the experiences for anything, but it definitely was more an exploration thing than a perfect fit. Maybe, just maybe being ADD played a role, but I think it more a side-effect of having a very liberal, non-judgemental personality. Just speaking for myself.Yes, I believe that people with a highly sexual nature are truly blessed. Napoleon Hill in "Think and Grow Rich" said that there's not a single successful individual that wasn't highly sexual; the question is how to convert that energy towards creative channels.
Yeah, that's what my pshrynque said...
Acutally, he used the term:
"wildly ADHD"
I've been creative!
Procreative!
6 kids!
Well, okay, 2 are step kids.
But we act like we're creative...
And...
I'm 52!
I can see where sexual experiences may have some baring on how some folks expresses their ADD but I can’t see sexual experience being determined by just the ADD it self - ADD comes complete with an individual attached - an individual who expresses their ADD in a way that is unique to their personhood