bipolar and explosive anger

Quick background--my 18 year old daughter is diagnosed as bipolar, is on meds, and sees a psychologist regularly. Over the past month, episodes of explosive anger have begun. My father had boarderline personality disorder and would act the same way--the slightest frustration could send him into an hours-long rage.

First, is such anger common in people with bipolar disorder? Could any of the drugs be triggering this behavior? What is the medical response to this condition, this anger?

I think it depends. I have bipolar disorder 2 and bpd and a very bad temper, but not everyone has anger issues with those disorders.

I just have Bipolar 2 and I do not have any anger issues.

Irritability is in fact a symptom. I can get quite annoyed with people when in a certain mindset, but it's not explosive and it's constant - I'll even be annoyed when I'm by myself. So it's not like I'll be going from being in a good mood to BOOM pissed - I'll be quite annoyed to start with (and I'm usually pretty open about it too!)

I think anger can be part of a manic episode for some people. I would think that outside of being in the midst of an episode (with the other symptoms such as not sleeping, pressured speech, etc.) it would be something different. With bipolar disorder, basically anything outside of an episode is something else. Some people are just irritable by nature.

But of course you're talking about explosive anger. Have you noticed what triggers these, is there any sort of pattern? Have you noticed an intolerance of frustration is her? Perhaps she does suffer from BPD, but you would need to talk to her and I don't know if you could talk to her therapist and/or psychiatrist, if she'd allow.

This is no doubt very hard on the family, but must be pretty awful for her as well. If she needs help with frustration tolerance, mood regulation of that sort, maybe she could get into DBT. I'm told it can help with bipolar as well. Best of luck.

I have Bipolar I and I have a horrible temper! If I'm irritable the littlest thing could set me off. I've attacked my older sister once because I felt she "handed" me the TV remote too hard. I really don't know if that's due to the Bipolar or just the way I am. I remember as a little girl, Mama pulling me aside and asking if I planned to ever marry. When I said yes, she said that I better get my temper under control because no man would ever marry me like that! Who knows why I have the temper I do? Meds seem to help me though.

Everyone is different. I would talk to her doctor.

As I mentioned before, irritability outside of an episode, is probably just that, irritability (if very intense).

There are no inherent 'characteristics' of bipolar disorder, such as irritability, outside of episodes. I get irritable, super impatient sometimes. I wish I could blame it on the bipolar -but nope, it's me, and I have to control it like I do anything else that comes my way.

Like I said- who knows why I have the temper I do....

Over the past month, episodes of explosive anger have begun How has she been sleeping over the past month? Does she has any other signs (hypo)mania?

First, is such anger common in people with bipolar disorder? Each episode is different for each person. This last time I had an episode I was violent. I fully believe if I was a guy I'd have domestic violence charges to deal with currently. That said I've been told it was extreme irritation as it's completely not me.

Could any of the drugs be triggering this behavior? When my psychiatrist had to mess with my anti depressants I went through craziness.

What is the medical response to this condition, this anger? usually med changes.

i have massive anger issues.

get violent as well.

have bipolar and BPD

Thanks everyone.

For those of you with anger issues, how do you handle it? What seems to work for you?

I suffer from epic anger issues when I'm in a manic state and my pdoc says that can be normal in some people when they're in a manic episodes. The meds have helped and when I'm not in a manic stage my normal personality is very laid back, cool, calm, and collective.

Thus far, I really haven't found a way of handling it except to avoid people and or situations, which isn't the best way to handle it. I'm currently working a therapist on things like this but the whole therapist thing is new for me. My girlfriend has tried to help by pointing out that I'm over reacting or am on the verge of blowing up but that just gets me madder.

I too would be interested in seeing how others handle these outbursts of anger.

I worked with my therapist to identify some triggers and how best to deal with them... for the most part (when in one of my "moods") I avoid or remove myself from the triggers. Example- large crowds are a trigger for me- I had an episode once while shopping for groceries (I wanted to run people over with my buggie- HARD) and had to leave the store immediately! My meds had to be adjusted. The proper meds kept me stable when not manic, and took the edge off (so to speak) when I'm manic.

karate that has sparing, and violent video games have helped my son and my husband. My husband also pours himself into painting. For me rough housing with my dog, 'destruto nooky', and isolating myself through music with noise canceling head phones.

Dated a bipolar girl for a few months, yes in their manic stages they can have bursts of anger including profanity that would embarrass a truck driver! Then the next minute be sweet as an angel. It's no wonder BP get's confused with BPD so often.

Who knows, you're describing an isolated incident, but based on little information, it sounds like a possible misdiagnosis (which doesn't mean it's BPD either): people with bipolar don't tend to switch like that so quickly -mixed anger to elated maybe, but anger to sweetness? Odd.

You can be in an irritable hypo or manic episode and blow into rage, yet still have a grasp on reality, a conscience, feel remorse & apologize. I know from experience. It's a horrible experience being out of control yet knowing it's not ok.

Advice to me from some different therapists was to talk about it when both calm. Let him/her know it must be horrible to be in a rage. Can we plan something now for if it happens again, likely you'd want to avoid anyone getting hurt or police involvement... Maybe they need space or quiet. Or go on a hike, exercise, drink lemons in water, go on a drive and scream in the car, smash dishes (someway safe).

And then sometimes you have to call 911 if they can't grasp any control. It's a horrible call to make. But violence gets worse unless something changes. Get help, manic rage is no joke. I'm terrified to be locked up for it someday. So I'll isolate as much as possible when I get like that.

I am dx bipolar and I have no explosive anger issues. When I am mixed or up I am more irritable but I wont explode at anyone, it tends to get internalised. Meltdowns and the like are more commonly linked to BPD. DBT is a very good treatment for those that have trouble regulating their emotions.