hypersexuality?

Does anyone else experience insane hypersexuality during their manic episodes? When I become manic, I seem to only be able to think about sex and, in particular, anonymous, risky, exciting sex. It's like I need any kind of stimulus. My therapist says this is normal but I haven't found anything about it. I just wanted to know if anyone else was experiencing this, because I feel really weird about it.

It is one of the most common symptoms of BP and one that your therapist should not brush off as it is very dangerous. It is almost always one of the first 2-3 questions that a screener will ask you and is almost a dead give away in diagnosing. Those of us who are BPers will joke about it a lot, but it really in not a joke. The joking is just a way of coping and helping to keep ourselves under control.

What do you do to control yourselves?
I seem to have this casual sex and then I just break down because I realize it's so empty and I don't know what to do because the thoughts are just CONSTANT when I'm manic.

This is one of the biggest red flags for bipolar - impulsive behavior like sex (and binging, spending, reckless driving). While it is very common that doesn't make it any less of an issue.

The worst part for me is that I'm married...but I still did stuff.

Not good.

I don't know what to tell you except that you're not the only one. (and I'm not even sure if I'm Bipolar or Borderline yet...or neither)

I'm not one who can tell you how to control it either, other than through a lot life work. I spent the majority of my life undiagnosed, with these feelings and desires, but being extremely sexually repressed from other factors. That combination was absolutely brutal on my mind and helped lead to my major break. I can only really say that it can't be done through suppression and denial, it needs to be a part of you treatment.

I am not being judgmental about you Therapist, because I do not know who she/he said it, but if they treat is as no big deal then you need to consider another therapist. It is a bid deal. As Razzleberry put it, it is a major red flag just as the other things they listed. Getting those things under control need to be a part of your treatment.

I do not say that as a moral stigma or anything like that, I am only saying that the goal of your treatment needs to be to allow you to control such impulses so that you can make you own decisions on what your life's actions will be, not allow your condition to cause you to do destructive things you will regret. This should, IMO, be a major goal of your treatment, and in one form or another is very much what we are all struggling with.

well this is probably not the best thing to say but i have a friend who is bi-polar as well. And he and are well shall we say "friends" but we know each other pretty well to where when we do that we trust each other. Thats not the best thing to be telling you but its what i do. I mean i dont go off with some random person and do things, but i do have that going on.

It is very common in people with Bipolar. Ways to help:

1) Prevent mania through medication

2) Use your energy for other things like exercise

Please use protection for your health and other's.

This happens to me a lot. Luckily, I'm married, and he doesn't complain about this sort of thing. However, if he's not at home for whatever reason, I find that it helps to take a brisk walk or clean the house a bit. Also, toys are a great alternative. I know it's not the same as having actual sex, but I feel that it helps quite a bit.

hey, thanks everyone! it makes me feel better to know there are others.
I wanted to clarify, my therapist says this is normal for someone with bipolar disorder. she thinks it's a big deal...actually, she suggested I should get treatment as a sex addict. I don't like that idea because it makes it seem like I'm always this way...but I'm not.
Also, I have this friend who might be a "trigger" for these kinds of obsessions...but does mania really have "triggers"?

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suzanmae said:
hey, thanks everyone! it makes me feel better to know there are others.
I wanted to clarify, my therapist says this is normal for someone with bipolar disorder. she thinks it's a big deal...actually, she suggested I should get treatment as a sex addict. I don't like that idea because it makes it seem like I'm always this way...but I'm not.
Also, I have this friend who might be a "trigger" for these kinds of obsessions...but does mania really have "triggers"?

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OK, much better to know that she did not soft-sell it.

Yes, there are triggers, different ones for each of us, and one of the important parts of treatment is to try to learn what they are.

Hey, with the hypersexuality, under the proper circumstances and self control, as long as it does not lead to a full manic episode is not always a bad thing. Sorry, it is a common enough BP trait that it is one many of us tend to joke about.

In all seriousness though, it is a symptom that is important to understand, learn your trigger, and learn to either control the triggers or simply separate them from you. On this one, it can be very tough to be around people with "normal" sex drives that want to constantly talk about the subject, or to put yourself into sexually stimulating situations.

...Any pointers on figuring out triggers? I'm new to bp and still figuring myself out. ..... DH would like to know my triggers as well! LOL

What to do for it? ... Well made toys and lots of batteries.