Hypersexuality and Bipolar Disorder: When Impulsive Sexual Behavior Is Part of a Manic Episode

Bipolar disorderis a mood disorder in which a person experiences drastic mood swings — from feeling elated, energetic, and risky to feeling sad and disinterested. These mood swings, called episodes of mania and depression, are the classic signs of bipolar disorder.

When someone with bipolar disorder is having a manic episode, impulsive, reckless sexual behaviors and significantly increasedsex drive很常见。这种超短的行为通常是躁狂集的警告标志。

What Exactly Is Hypersexuality?

It’s not unusual for people to experience a heightened sense of sexuality during a manic episode. And while an increased interest in sexuality on its own does not present a problem, when the heightened sense of sexuality is paired with the symptoms of bipolar mania — such as impulsivity, risk-taking, and poor judgment — the behavior can be destructive to many aspects of day-to-day life.

Experts aren't sure why some people with bipolar disorder experience symptoms of hypersexuality and others do not.

"In general, hypersexuality is a symptom of hypomania or mania — it goes with that particular mood episode," saysAdele C.Viguera，MD, apsychiatristat the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Mania is one of the two main episodes that someone with bipolar disorder may experience, while hypomania is a milder form of mania.

"Hypersexuality can be one of the characteristic symptoms of both," says Dr. Viguera. Other symptoms include:

• Excessive spending
• Not sleeping
• Trouble concentrating
• Speaking quickly and in a scattered manner

Bipolar Disorder and an Increased Focus on Sex

虽然没有明确的定义或标准，但是双相障碍的人,它意味着更关注性和冒险性ual behaviors than the person normally is. What's significant is the change or difference from the normal behavior.

患有超人物的双相情感障碍的人们可能：

• Have multiple sex partners
• Think about sex constantly
• 有一夜情
• 对色情内容非常感兴趣
• Notice a difference in their sexual behaviors
• Engage in other reckless behaviors, like driving too fast or gambling

你如何对待超透明度？

Hypersexuality with bipolar disorder isn't a separate condition or problem that needs its own treatment — it's asymptom of bipolar disorder. Once the condition is successfully treated and mood swings and symptoms are under control, those hypersexual feelings will dissipate.

"When bipolar disorder is not being treated effectively, hypersexuality is often a symptom that can wreak havoc in a person's personal life and lead to poor decisions with possible serious and negative consequences.治疗双相症状并获得丑陋和狂热的控制，通常也是针对性的，同样为极度，“Viguera解释道。

"You treat the disease, not the symptom," she adds. “Treatments usually involve medications such asmood stabilizers要么antipsychotics, as well as psychotherapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or interpersonal social rhythm therapy,” she says.

一旦疾病受到控制，患有双相障碍的人通常与性别不同，与性别不同。

"You often see a lot of regret for the past behavior, because they put themselves in very bad situations," says Viguera. "When they're well, they reflect on that, and there can be a lot of regret and remorse. It's just another clue that shows you that it was not their normal state.”

In addition, hypersexuality can be one of the most difficult and challenging symptoms both for people living with the condition and for those close to them.

Sometimes the inability to control sexual urges leads to broken marriages and relationships. Both people in a relationship can suffer if these urges result in infidelity: The partner with bipolar disorder may feel distraught over having hurt the other partner, who in turn feels confused and angry for having been cheated on.

Bipolar Behavior, Hypersexuality, and Related Conditions

The study found substance abuse disorders to be quite common in people with bipolar disorder. The disorders with the highest prevalence in conjunction with bipolar disorder werealcohol use(42 percent), followed by大麻use (20 percent) and other illicit drug use (17 percent).

Stimulants in particular can be problematic: The study authors point out that if stimulants are being used or abused, they could mimic symptoms of mania. In addition, alcohol and大麻use can be linked to poor judgment, which may further contribute to hypersexual behavior.

Different Treatments for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is usually treated with:

• Mood-stabilizing medications
• 抗精神病学medications
• Antidepressants
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Other forms of therapy and counseling that may include family members
• Electroconvulsive therapy, which involves using small electrical waves to treat the brain

正确的组合这些代理s therapies can reduce or eliminate bipolar mood changes between mania and depression, as well as prevent or reduce symptoms, including hypersexuality.

Those symptoms of hypersexuality may be a red flag for some people with bipolar disorder indicating that they are slipping into a manic episode. If a双相障碍的人开始注意到自己思考关于性或引人入思的行为，他们应该向他们的医生通知这一症状。

Resources We Love

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)

This organization supports people with depression and bipolar disorder. Learn more abouttreatment options for bipolar disorder, and check out theDBSA Wellness Toolbox.

Mayo Clinic

A top U.S. hospital, Mayo Clinic has educational information aboutbipolar disorderon its website and also offers care for bipolar disorder at its four locations in the United States. Learn more abouthow to schedule an appointment.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

NIMH is a part of the National Institutes of Health, which is the world’s largest biomedical research agency. If you’re interested, considerparticipating in a research trialto help researchers discover more about potentialtreatments for bipolar disorder.

Additional reporting byBarbara Kean.