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Originally Posted by Th3reandback
Are people with bipolar disorder more likely to be unfaithful to their partner because of mania/hypomania?
Have you ever been unfaithful to somebody you truly love while manic?
Has someone ever been unfaithful to you while they were manic?
I have never been unfaithful to anybody, even when tempted. And I honestly never would. It's my number one moral in life and I take it very seriously. My girlfriend was hypomanic (bipolar 2) when she first got to college and developed a drinking/partying problem before I met her, and had 20 one night stands. Obviously this hurts me very much, as it is always something I have seen as sacred. She's such a good loyal person, and she says she would absolutely never cheat on me, and that what we have is what she has always wanted, and she would never waste it especially since she already experienced meaningless hookups. I am afraid that if she becomes hypomanic at any point in our lives (if we last a long time) bad things might happen. I really have a hard time trusting, and her circumstance and diagnosis makes it more difficult. She's on lamactil but I don't think that would prevent any mania.
What are your thoughts on this subject in general or from experience?
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Before I was formally diagnosed and treated for Bipolar, I was on antidepressants that would make undiagnosed mania worse. During this time, I was unfaithful in a relationship. Once I "came down" from it, I felt very remorseful and looked back thinking how that is not something I would have ever done have I not been manic. Once I was diagnosed and treated properly with medication, there hasn't been any time I've been unfaithful while in a committed relationship. As far as your second question goes, I don't think anyone has been unfaithful to me while manic. At least no one ever admitted it to me if they did in fact cheat. There's never been any reason for me to believe that anyone has been unfaithful to me, although I get paranoid sometimes that they might.
By the way, Lamictal has been shown to prevent mania if you start it while stable on another medication. That's what it's supposed to do: help prevent episodes rather than treat acute mania. Some symptoms are still there, but it helps alleviate them. Of course, like any medication, it isn't for everyone, but I'm Bipolar 1 with history of manic episodes, and find it to be effective in helping prevent full-blown mania, or at least reduce symptoms, with the help of my other meds. Hopefully, the Lamictal will help her. I did find that medication made a difference in my ability to stay faithful. I hope things work out with both of you. Best wishes
