[Kathy111]

Do you guys think there is a link between bipolar and psychopathy (also known as antisocial personality disorder)? My boyfriend of 3 years is bipolar and has been unmedicated the entire time. I have been through so much abuse in this relationship and its constantly a roller coaster ride and to make matters worse I fear its getting worse. Over the course of our relationship I have seen some psychopathic traits from him. Ex.) When he used to beat me and I cried and pleaded he stop he only beat me harder and became enraged and screamed stop crying b***h over and over. I know he told me he doesn't cry and I have never seen him cry. I know his dad beat him from a very early age and that concerns me that he never formed an attachment to people. Also whenever I ask him to do something for me he tells me he doesn't care and other times when I ask something from him and tell him if he loved me he would he tells me he doesn't love me. He tells me he loves me all the time to get what he wants ex) sex and money. He used girlfriends in the past and told me he didn't love them only stayed with them to use them. Also durring arguements if I cry because I am upset he went back on a promise and tell him he told me he would. He says he lied and ok I am getting out of here and leaves my house and doesnt show remorse. Please share your thoughts. I am pregnant with his kid so leaving is not a road I want to take. I want to hear any personal stories you guys have and any tips on coping with the relationship so that we fight less. And please please help me figure out if there is a link between the two, if you know anyone who had both or if you know anyone who is bipolar or unmedicated that acts like this. I have read that mania in bipolar can mimic psychopathic traits on many links just googling link beween psychopathy and bipolar.

[cocoabeans]

Not everyone who does bad things is a psychopath. I don't think there is a link but, I do know that whether or not he is treating you badly due to mental illness or badly because he is just a bad person doesn't matter. There is no excuse to tolerate that and if you choose to put yourself and your child in that situation, you're doing the wrong thing. You shouldn't be tolerating that.

Leave him. Now.

[hamster-bamster]

I agree with cocoabeans. Moreover, you should have left a long time ago - you are rattling off a list of telltale signs of trouble. You deserve better in life. You will not change him. Whatever the underlying diagnosis does not matter. If you have enough money to raise the child alone, and it sounds like you do because HE asks YOU for money, leave and pay him some amount catching the moment when he is in need to induce him to give up parental rights, because otherwise you will have way too much trouble on your head down the road. I do not have time now to list what he can do to you and your child if he retains parental rights, but if you are interested, I will return to this thread later. Good luck with your pregnancy.

[Clinte89]

I agree with cocoabeans, there is no excuse for that even if he is a psychopath. Mental illness should not be a crutch to be a bad person.

[Trippin2.0]

Mental illness or not, there's no excuse for abuse. Nothing you learn or do will make him a better person. He will not stop beating you, the beatings will just get worse. Now I'm not 1 to judge, honestly. I too took my beatings like a good girl for my own warped reasons, BUT, my child (by that man) is the reason I got out. I'm worried about YOUR frame of mind, not his. Why is leaving such a terrible option when it equates the safety of both you and your baby? Surely you don't believe in staying with the father for 'the sake of the baby'? That idea is redundant when you put into context how many women fall pregnant via force... Please get help, run, you AND your child are worth it.

I'm bipolar & have antisocial personality disorder/probable type 2 psychopathy. From his behaviour? I'd say it's probably very, very, very severe mania with probable breaks from reality. While he may or may not have ASPD, sadistic PD, or just be a normal person; there is something very clearly not connecting in his mind between his thoughts & his actions. If you haven't left already, you're not doing yourself any justice whatsoever. Not everyone with psychopathy is a violent, incontrovertible asshole... At this point, it doesn't really matter what he is. Just that he's gone & possibly gets help. Maybe once you've made plans to leave, if he pulls another stunt, you could privately call the cops to get him baker acted & the proper help he needs?

[Confusedinomicon]

Sounds like he has learned these behaviors from his parents. I dont think he ever grew up in a loving environment.

However you just need to leave. You cant change him or make him care.

[BipolaRNurse]

Ditto to all of the above. Bipolar or not, he does NOT have the right to be abusive. Leave him now while you still can!!!

[Moose72]

I gotta agree. You would feel horrible if and when he abused your child. Run and run now.

[Anneinside]

No there is no link between bipolar and being a psychpath. That's like saying there is a link between a cold and lung cancer because they both affect the lungs. There is no link.

[wing]

http://allpsych.com/disorders/dsm.html

This link will explain a lot.

See the Hare desription of the psychopath.com

He certainly sounds as if he might be a psychopath (now called antisocial personality disorder). But regardless, beating you (especially while you are pregnant) can land him in jail, but fast!

The folks who are advising you to get out are right, in my view. The psychopath does not change his behavior and is not a candidate for therapy. He just continues to become more cunning at his behavior if he is forced to undergo psychotherapy.

They do not often appear in psychiatrists' offices. Their major problem is that they have no conscience.

Would you want a child reared in an environment like that? Your child would be at risk for injury, as well. In addition, he would probably leave when the child was born, anyway.

You deserve so much better. Please talk to a psychiatrist if you are having difficulty understanding why it is in your best interests to get away from him and even to get a restraining order to ensure that he stays away.

The longer he is there, the more pain you will be facing, in my view.

Please get some instructions from a psychiatrist--without his knowing what you are doing.

Genetic

[faerie_moon_x]

I'm sorry to say but your situation is not going to get any better. I feel that since you point out that he will beat you harder when you're crying, what will he do to a baby? I hate to say that, but I'm afraid I must, because at this point I am complete fear for the safety of your baby, even before it is born.... I could recount horror stories but I won't.

Get out of there. You and your baby deserve better.

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by dark_heart_x

I'm sorry to say but your situation is not going to get any better. I feel that since you point out that he will beat you harder when you're crying, what will he do to a baby? I hate to say that, but I'm afraid I must, because at this point I am complete fear for the safety of your baby, even before it is born.... I could recount horror stories but I won't.

Get out of there. You and your baby deserve better.

I agree. And I know how hard it is to leave someone.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by genetic

a restraining order to ensure that he stays away.

ro=great idea

[sarek]

I agree with the others. You are in an unhealthy and potentially dangerous situation. You need to think of yourself and your child first.

To answer the question: No, there is no known direct physiological link between BP and ASPD. Having said that I have found that very few disorders and problems travel alone by themselves. Quite often there is more than one in play at the same time, which complicates both diagnosis and treatment.

[hamster-bamster]

OP, pls show signs of life. We are concerned. Looking forward th hearing from you.

[Kathy111]

Hey Everyone i just wanted to thank you for all the advice. I'm really glad i joined this forum. I feel like you all could relate to my situation. Hamster-Bamster if you get a chance to read this im ok. Thanks for your concern.

[Trippin2.0]

I'm really relieved to hear you're alright.

[IndieVisible]

Two entirely different disorders, bipolar is a mood disorder, sociopath (aspd) is a personality disorder. No connections just some similarities. Unless he is both. But I've seen bipolar look pretty bad. Sociopaths usually go undetected.

[Skittles56]

Originally Posted by Anneinside

No there is no link between bipolar and being a psychpath. That's like saying there is a link between a cold and lung cancer because they both affect the lungs. There is no link.

That's not exactly true. All psychopaths are not bipolar, and all bipolar people are not psychopaths, but there is a statistical correlation between bipolar and psychopathy. 16% of adult onset bipolar people are also sociopathic/psychopathic. The percentage gets much higher the younger the onset of bipolar, with childhood onset bipolar having a 37% correlation. The baseline is that 4% of the general population is sociopathic/psychopathic

I think the gist of this is, and I'm pretty much repeating what a lot of other posters have already said, the guy is an asshole. Whether it is because he is bipolar or psychopathic or both is moot, he's still an asshole and you can't do anything about that. Leave, sooner rather than later, and don't look back.

[SilverNeurotic]

Why are you willing to put yourself and child in harms way like that? Get out now, you'll only regret it. Mental illness does not give anyone a free card to act violently towards another living being.

[Victoria'smom]

Run now! It gets so much harder when the baby's born. Abuse and mental illness are two completely different things. Please run, it'll only end bad if not. I've seen really bad situation with people allowing abuse or psychosis happen after children have been born.

Okay if you plan to stay you need to tell your OBGYN that you're being abused because you are classified as high risk due to the stress and emotional issues that come with abuse. Please see a therapist to help you through all this. You can even tell your boyfriend that the clinic that you go to requires for mid pregnancy to the child's 1st birthday as a precaution for post partum depression.

[ultramar]

I *do* hope you are able to eventually extricate yourself from this abusive relationship, both for your sake and that of your child.

I don't think his behavior is necessarily related to bipolar (how was he diagnosed, by the way, is it a sure thing?). I do not think he is beating on you and manipulating you, etc. because he is bipolar. Maybe he is antisocial. But whatever label he has given himself *is no excuse* for his behavior.

Please try to think of him as someone with *no* diagnosis. None. He is responsible for this behavior and it is up to him to do something about it. His diagnosis(es) don't matter, his behavior does, and your safety and wellbeing does. I hope you keep you and your child safe, as best you can.

[Mr. Radio]

I was in a relationship with a sociopath. I somewhat she is the reason my psychosis sparked. After I broke up with her I was in a deep depression for some time. Then I a high unlike anything I've ever felt. I was a free rolling man and I loved it. Then came the break and the journey back from it. Psychopaths and sociopaths are not good people to be around. You can't change them, you can't make them feel. The way their brains are, it's their own burden. Much like a mental illness, they will keep using people to get what they want and never have true connection with people. You still being in this relationship resembles the false hope I once had that one day their would be no more downs. That is a hope long lost. Each high and low with this person will get worse and worse. My high and low with bipolar hasn't done too much damage to me yet... except for the hole I'm still in from psychosis, coming back out though. Do what you can for your own health and leave. Never talk to him again. The only way is no contact. I still think about the good times I had with her and they can remain with that.. But I now know that my future will be filled with more happiness and fulfilling life style then one based on lies and manipulation. Have faith in yourself and know that you are strong enough and there are better people. The longer you stay with him, the longer it will take you to get back into the right state of mind. Good luck.