[Gareth Monkton]

I have read that according to Derek Wood at Mental-Health-Matters.com, "Bipolar Disorder can be associated with low serotonin levels, which has been implicated in impulsivity, which...makes a person more prone to lie."

I have also read that the lies that are told as a result of the bipolar condition vary on a case-by-case basis. Some lies are harmless and others can be devastating.

Is it the illness or is it the person's character that causes loss of control and to tell lies ?

[Crazy Hitch]

Hi Gareth,

I think there will be different responses here.

So please read mine as my personal opinion only.

Episodes in Bipolar can impair judgment. And we can do things we wouldn't do when stable. Could this possibly involve "lying"? Maybe, I'm not sure. Depends. Is the lie as in not necessarily disclosing EVERYTHING one has done during an episode to protect one self or others? For me, yeah probably. I'm not TRYING to lie. I just choose not to necessarily disclose absolutely everything unless people are on a need to know basis. Depends on the circumstance for me and depends on the people.

Impulsivity - sure - I'm impulsive as hell. Am I honest? Yeah, I pretty much am to be truthful. But I do do stupid things. And I don't exactly put my hand up and say "Hey, it was me Hooligan!" Classic Example: During one of my manic episodes I thought it was totally awesome to superglue coffee mugs on all the staffs desks at work. Just seemed like the right thing to do at the time. Did I ever own up afterwards and say hey it was me? No. [Footnote: I wasn't asked if it was me, no one was asked who it was actually, and I did not feel the need to go to my boss and say Hi, I'd just like to tell you I was the reason nobody could removed their coffee cups ]

Yes.

These "lies" I would assume are on a case by case basis.

My non disclosure of super gluing coffee cups - meh - my business I was never asked so I never told.

I don't think it's my "character" that makes me do impulsive silly things. It's stuffed up brain chemicals in my head when I'm manic. I don't get to choose the dosage of chemicals being pumped in my brain during an episode. But I do get to choose to work closely with my pdoc in order to work out which meds will suit me best during an episode in order to dilute the stuffed up brain chemicals.

Just my opinion.

[avlady]

maybe they lie to build their self esteem? i don't have this problem and really don't what type of lies you're talking about? making up stories. i have dreams at night that i thought happened in the day and people think i'm lying or telling a tall tale, but then i realise i've dreamt it.

[Gareth Monkton]

Yes I understand that dreams even hallucinations can seem real at times.

There are some good ŕeports which I will get the links of and post them.

[A Red Panda]

Hi Gareth;

Out of your 11 posts, you have 7 posts that are the start of threads.

Every single thread is about bipolar, lying, and some criminal activity.

You really should try to only have one thread per topic so that everyone's responses are together. You'll get more discussion and it's easier to keep track of. And it's less confusing for those of us who are taking the time to respond.

[Gareth Monkton]

In 2004, Pat Forciea went on a check-forging spree that devastated his personal and professional relationships, and he wound up with an eight-year jail sentence. He has bipolar illness. A previously law-abiding citizen and a well-known and highly respected political and business figure, Forciea committed a crime that was a classic example of uncontrolled bipolar disorder resulting in a major manic episode.*

www.lawandpolitics.com/minnesota/Irrational-Behavior/111b177a-98ae-40f7-a264-946dd3ad7f49.htmlo[/url]

[Gareth Monkton]

http://www.lawandpolitics.com/minnesota/Irrational-Behavior/111b177a-98ae-40f7-a264-946dd3ad7f49.html

[pegasus]

Hello Gareth, could I ask why you are so interested in this? Bipolar does not appear to be on your list of issues on your profile page (I see it has now been added) and we support each other. I'm just wondering why all the questions around bipolar?