higher risk of intimate-partner-violence (IPV) among men with ADHD

Large cohort work shows men with ADHD face higher rates of violent victimisation generally (HR≈2.6 for males). 

HR≈2.6 is stats-speak. It means a hazard ratio of roughly 2.6 – so, men with ADHD are thought to be about 2.5 times more likely to experience intimate-partner-violence (IPV) than men without ADHD over the study period. This is not saying every man with ADHD will face violence, just that the risk is significantly higher in the group overall. It signals vulnerability in certain contexts and nudges us towards gaining an understanding as to why some patterns show up, not as fault, but as something to keep an eye on when choosing our relationships and supports.

Research increasingly shows adults of any sex or gender with ADHD are more likely than the general population to be involved in abusive/IPV relationships, both as victims and (separately) as perpetrators. 

A 2025 study of adults found ADHD status predicted both IPV victimisation and perpetration regardless of sex, gender, or age. A 2023 systematic review had already reached a similar conclusion: ADHD is linked with increased risk of IPV and sexual violence involvement overall.

Earlier male-focused work following cisgendered boys with childhood ADHD into young adulthood likewise found higher IPV rates compared with controls. Factors often discussed as being mediators include: emotional dysregulation; impulsivity; substance use; and, prior maltreatment – not sex or gender per se.  

While public conversation has (understandably) centred on women, the evidence base doesn’t exclude men: men with ADHD also show elevated risk of ending up in difficult or abusive relationships, especially when co-occurring issues – alcohol and other drugs; trauma; a range of challenges and difficult life experiences – are present. 

As a counsellor, I’m trained, qualified, insured, and registered with a nationally recognised UK professional organisation (BACP) – so as legitimate to practice as it gets – but I’m not a medical practitioner. I can never advise on medical matters, other than suggesting clients might want to consider making appointments for their GP if they have concerns about anything that they raise in therapy. 

I work with neurodivergent clients and am myself a person with auDHD (a shorthand way of referencing a person who is both autistic and has ADHD), but I’m neither a comprehensive expert (I doubt anyone ever is, for we are each unique in our presentation) nor in any position to diagnose anything. I offer informed general understanding from lived experience and chosen learning to my neurodivergent clients of the fact that they will have faced – and may still be facing – challenges in life related to their neurodivergence, but I’d never assume what those challenges are.

There are simply too many challenges that could happen. Not all of them will be within a single individual’s range of life experiences. This is, of course, true across the board for all of us, counsellors and psychotherapists or not.

If you have a neurodivergent or other condition, a cold, pain, disease, disorder, disability, suffer a loss or bereavement, if you have an accident or you’re a victim of any crime, you can’t and probably don’t assume your experience of it is identical to anyone else’s. It very likely won’t be. Moreover, it’s an essential core component of my profession that we don’t assume anything – we listen, we consider, we challenge, we reflect, and we learn a great deal from our clients as we support them in addressing whatever brings them into the therapeutic relationship. 

I present, therefore, an opinion: screening for IPV (victim and perpetrator) should take place during all ADHD assessments, with supports that target emotion regulation, boundaries, and safety planning. I was diagnosed as an adult and don’t recall specific mention of IPV at the time. How autism and ADHD are assessed by the NHS is currently under review. 

Get in touch with Xander for a free 30-minute initial assessment and to work out a fee that’s right for your circumstances should you decide to proceed further. Xander has spaces currently available to welcome new clients.

Xander, trading as xph therapy, offers integrative counselling, which means working with multiple therapy types, including CBT, psychotherapeutic and person-centred to develop a therapeutic pathway just for you, whatever outcome you’re hoping to achieve.