Bipolar Disorder and Hypersexuality

Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings between depressive lows and manic highs. It’s within those highs of mania that inhibitions may evaporate, resulting in poor judgment and reckless behavior, including risky and impulsive sex, also known as hypersexuality. Not everyone with bipolar disorder experiences hypersexuality. However, the presence of significantly increased libido and reckless sexual behavior is not uncommon during a manic episode. It's also important to note that hypersexuality has nothing to do with a person's moral code.  Symptoms of hypersexuality may include a significantly heightened sex drive resulting in constantly thinking about sex, a preoccupation with pornography, an abundance of one-night stands, engaging in sex with multiple partners or a lack of satisfaction following sex. Studies suggest that women report increased sexual intensity during mania or hypomania more frequently than men, but hypersexuality may often drive both sexes to engage in random and often unprotected sex, seek out prostitutes or have multiple affairs, even if in a committed relationship. Actress Mariette Hartley, who has a family a history of bipolar disorder and suicide, was diagnosed with the illness in 1994. After getting treatment, she discussed her struggle with hypersexuality, and the mania that prevented her from acknowledging the negative consequences of her sexual indiscretions. Hypersexuality may result in tremendous guilt and regret once mania subsides, as well as being devastating to relationships. Hypersexuality may also be extremely dangerous because both caution, and condoms, may be thrown to the wind, underscoring the need for ongoing treatment of bipolar disorder. However, hypersexuality isn't a separate condition that needs its own treatment.  Rather, it is addressed in the context of the overall illness. Treating the symptoms of bipolar disorder and getting the mania under control most often helps manage hypersexuality as well. These treatments may include mood stabilizing, antidepressant and antipsychotic medications, along with cognitive-behavioral therapy, which involves techniques to help sufferers recognize distorted thinking and replace it with better thought processes and behaviors. In addition, treatment may incorporate various forms of counseling, which may also include family members. If you or someone you know is affected by bipolar disorder, please see a mental health professional. To learn more, see additional videos about bipolar disorder on this site.