Quote:
Originally Posted by singularity01
Hi. I'm new here. I don't know if I am bipolar. I don't have a diagnosis. I suspect I might be, but I don't know for sure. I've had struggles with bad depression and feeling suicidal. I currently take Cymbalta for depression and I think it is mostly working. I'm actually the least concerned with the depression aspect.
My other more troubling problem is that I feel like a part time sex addict. I got into a lot of trouble a few years ago with this. Affairs, hook-ups with strangers, etc. I almost wound up divorced and I destroyed at least one friendship. Thankfully, I was able to work things out with my husband, but I can't get away with cheating on him ever again. I'm leaving out a lot of details, but it was pretty awful, like I was living through a soap opera. It took me up until now to mostly get over all that happened (lots of guilt and shame). It took a long time and a lot of work to get my husband to trust me again too.
My current concern is that I feel wicked frisky again and it makes me feel like a freak. I don't want to talk to my husband about it because I don't want him to worry about me or start distrusting me again. I feel weird talking to my friends about this stuff. I'm bisexual too, so I worry about being inappropriate with my friends because I have done that before. I came here because I would like to talk to people who maybe get what I feel like. I'm trying to make sure I reach out and stay connected to other people. If I spend too much time with my own thoughts I start drifting off into my own fantasy land. If I spend too much time there, without communicating with other people, I start getting into trouble because then I'll act on fantasies thinking it's a good idea. I can't have that happening again because I'm a wife and mother who has a full time job.
Please reply if you can relate. Thanks  |
Hi singularity. I"m sorry to read that hypersexuality has affected your marriage in the past. If those urges were beyond your normal control, it would seem to signal some issue of great concern.
You say that you take an antidepressant only? Does a psychiatrist prescribe that for you, or are you prescribed the medication by a general practitioner? No need to answer my question, but whomever prescribes it should be told about the hypersexuality. That could potentially result in a medication adjustment, new diagnosis consideration, and/or a referral to a therapist, if you don't have one right now. It's my belief that if bipolar disorder is suspected, that a mental health professional be consulted. GPs can be wonderful, but a specialist, at least for proper diagnosis, is a good idea.
It is impossible for us to know the full complexity of your situation. I don't know you, so all I could do is wonder things like:
Does your husband know that you are bisexual?
Does your bisexuality create a desire for something you aren't getting in your marriage?
Is there something else (other than above) that you feel is missing in your life that gives you strife?
DO you have bipolar hypomania or mania?
Again, I can't know your answers, and I don't need to. These are simply example questions I would think a therapist or psychiatrist might ask about.
I can tell this situation is painful for you. For that reason, I truly hope you will be vigilant in getting some helpful answers.
Hypersexuality is common in bipolar hypomania and mania, but is not necessarily a sure sign. Others out there have it without bipolar disorder. You are not alone.
I have experienced hypersexuality as part of my bipolar disorder, but not during all hypomanic and manic episodes. It's not a given symptom. Sometimes impulsivity, pleasure-seeking, disinhibition, and other symptoms, express themselves in other ways.