Many Patients with Bipolar Disorder May Display Hypersexuality; More Questions Needed

Hypersexuality and bipolar disorder are complex but are often a connected mix that more researchers and therapists are beginning to actively address. Experts believe not enough questions about sexual activity are asked when helping patients with bipolar disorder manage their symptoms.

Marked by bouts of high-energy, intensity or grandiose ideas and euphoria, patients with bipolar disorder experience periods of mania followed by periods of depression-like symptoms. A handful of research studies, as discussed in an article in BP Magazine, point out that as many as one-fourth to two-thirds of patients with bipolar disorder may also exhibit symptoms of hypersexuality during their manic episodes.

For many patients, the phrase "hypersexuality" may help understand and manage their sexual behaviors that become problematic, frustrating and consuming. The article explains one patient’s story, which after living with bipolar disorder where she also had episodes of high sexual activity, finally began to understand that the hypersexuality may be a part of the mania from her existing bipolar disorder.

Rather than considering hypersexuality as of a list of symptoms related to bipolar disorder, psychologists and therapists may want to look more closely at a patient’s sexual behaviors and give the issue more emphasis as they pursue management of the bipolar disorder. Hypersexuality can include obsessive thoughts about sex, an inability to stop masturbating or to stop having sex with several people despite the consequences.

While behaviors related to hypersexuality are only one area of symptoms a patient with bipolar disorder may exhibit, they also carry some of the highest emotional costs and may lead to the destruction of careers, finances and families, as well as risks such as STDs and unwanted pregnancies.

Psychologists are encouraged to ask more questions related to sexual behaviors when working with patients with bipolar disorder, and to help the patients overcome feelings of guilt or shame associated with the behaviors so that more accurate and effective treatments can be given. The questions are also extremely important to help prevent patients with bipolar disorder from developing a sexual addiction or pornography addiction.