[patgirl13]

Hello I am new to the site and just wanted to talk with other people who have manic episodes. SO....here is what I am dealing with at the moment. I have been with my husband going on 10 years and we have been married for almost 2. He is as close to perfect as a man can get. He is a good husband, father, and mostly understanding of my "rage outbursts," for no reason. He loves me for who I am. Recently, I have been going through what I guess would be called rapid cycling and my hormones are all jacked up to boot. Just last week I had a manic episode and went out drinking with a girlfriend and proceeded to drink entirely too much, which I almost always do, and decided to send a mutual friend's husband a message that I wanted to make out with him. It's like I need constant attention and need the feeling of being irresistible. Well, he took the bait, which I was confident he would because I always seem to get what I want when I am manic. I don' t know if its just an increased confidence or what. Plus, the 2 other times I had interacted with him I could tell he was checking me out, so I guess I knew I would have the upper hand and I enjoyed that. Is this behavior normal during manic episodes? I have read it but I just want to know if other people constantly have the urge to get attention from the opposite sex and even try to take it to another level than just flirting? I don't understand why I would sabotage a wonderful marriage, and my beautiful family. Please help!

[pirilin]

Hi patgirl13,

Welcome to PC bipolar sub-forum.

I wish I could help with your situation, but I'm alien to it.
I'm sure someone will chime in with some good advise very soon.
Adding a comment I shouldn't make, it is my experience that good sons,
good husbands and good fathers are sometimes boring.
Maybe you are blaming yourself too much. Good luck.

[Anxiousvalkyrie]

When I'm manic....well the fun part the mania before it devolves into paranoia, anxiety and other less than fun emotions.....I constantly crave attention, and I almost always get it. My confidence shoots through the roof and I absolutely love getting attention from the opposite sex.

Yes, I never acted on it but absolutely, 100%. I seek attention, I'm more confident, charming, social and sexual. When not manic I have zero sex drive due to pelvic pain issues. When I'm manic, I feel beautiful and sexual and easily aroused by people other than my husband. I've been lucky to have not really acted on it. Now that I know about the symptom and that its part of the illness, I can avoid people and the Internet and other places I could get into trouble. My husband doesn't like me when I'm manic, and sometimes treats me badly, so I don't feel attracted to him at the time. Those are sad and difficult times but I manage.

It can be dangerous behavior and could lead to disease and more. It's important to talk with a doctor and manage this symptom. Try to get control of the mania anyway you can.

Hugs to you. Stay safe.

[MusicLover82]

When I'm hypomanic, I feel so sexy and love attention, even if it's just someone checking me out at the grocery store. I am tempted to reach out to get attention from other men, but instead I focus on getting attention from my husband, and he never disappoints. Next time, try to drink less so you will be more under control and direct the attention-getting toward your husband. Buy some sexy lingerie and surprise him with it. Maybe make it a special date night and go to a nice restaurant. Just some ideas.

But yes, being hyper-sexual is normal with mania, but it's good to find a way to channel it in a healthy way. Your husband would probably be upset if he knew about what happened. So see if you can take precautions to prevent the flirting with other men (such as setting a drink limit, having your husband with you, etc.). If you feel like your thoughts and behavior is getting out of control, make an appointment to see your pdoc ASAP. If you don't go sooner, at least make sure your pdoc knows about this the next time you see him/her. Best wishes!!

It is all to common to have a heightened sexuality when hypo/manic. It has everything to do with a thrill-seeking, risk taking behavior. Most of us have done things we wouldn't even think of when we were manic.

[Blaire]

Yes definitely. I'm good about not acting on it, but I'm definitely flirty when I'm hypomanic. Also, one of my closest friends is a guy, and there's nothing at all sexual about our relationship, but when I'm hypo around him, I often have sexual thoughts about him and a very strong urge to touch him. This doesn't happen when I'm stable.

[lilcreecher]

Yes that is pretty normal in mania. I have issues with people so I tend to watch more pornography when i'm "up".