[Ybgss]

Hi I am an 18 year old girl who was recently diagnosed with bipolar 1. Recently I’ve been really worried any time I think about sex, because I now worry that I’m manic. I can’t discern what is a normal amount to think about sex and what is not. I really don’t want to ask my therapist or psychiatrist because then I’d have to talk about it and that is awkward. So I’m asking you guys. What is normal?

[wildflowerchild25]

I don’t think there is a normal. Everyone has different libidos. Mine is generally very low and always has been. You have to figure out your baseline libido first. And also there are other symptoms of mania. If you’re thinking about sex a lot but don’t have any other symptoms, it’s probably not mania.

I have a super high sex drive with or without mania. Everyone is different. I constantly worry I'm going manic when I just feel too happy. Its tough.

[Aliceiw]

I'd say be on guard when the sex leads to risky behavior like random sex with a strangers or someone who could easily infect you (sex worker), If the urge is uncontrollable to the point that nothing satisfies, or you're having sex or similar behaviors more than 3 times a day. This is also largely relative and just an opinion from my own experience but everyone is different. Try looking at your baseline urges when you are well. Use it as a guide for what is normal not necessarily what others feel is normal.

[~Christina]

Another way to determine if its mania or "normal "(whatever that is)

Hows your sleep? If your not needing much sleep then you could be going Hypo/Manic and then the increase would be more Bipolar than your normal libido.

[xRavenx]

It really depends on your baseline. The more you recognize what is typical for you, the more you can understand your episodes and judge if it is mania. When you are not feeling like (or behave) like your normal self, then that is a sign it might be part of an episode. My sex drive is naturally high, but I don't always follow through with going out and meeting random people. My energy needs to be high enough to make that kind of effort when I am not in a relationship. However, when manic, it is characteristic of me to meet random people and have sex, although not every single time that I am manic. When my mood comes back down, I don't always feel like going out and can be quite introverted....so some people might wonder, "Who is that girl that I thought I knew?" If they meet me when I am in a fun-loving manic stage, only to see me when my mood comes back down to a low. When I am low, I'd rather keep to myself and seem like a different person.