This is an outdated term that is no longer used in the clinical setting.
Anyone can be hypersexual, but people withbipolar disorderare prone to bouts of hypersexuality.
This tendency can present challenges with sexual satisfaction and relationships.
Thianchai Sitthikongsak / Getty Images
Thianchai Sitthikongsak / Getty Images
What Is Hypersexuality?
Hypersexuality is an extreme focus on sex, sexual thoughts, or sexual activity.
Additionally, it could be due to remorse related to inappropriate behavior.
Is Sexual Addiction a Symptom of Bipolar Disorder?
It’s sometimes used interchangeably with hypersexuality.
Hypersexuality is listed as one of the diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder.
It is common for people with bipolar disorder to experience hypersexuality.
Others will not be formally diagnosed.
Researchers aren’t sure why some people with bipolar disorder experience hypersexuality and others do not.
How Common Is Hypersexuality in People With Bipolar Disorder?
What Does Bipolar Hypersexuality Feel Like?
Hypersexuality is more than just a high sex drive.
Their sex drive and sexual behaviors tend to fluctuate.
People might even experience hyposexuality, which is having no interest in sex.
How Is Hypersexuality Treated?
This is typically done through therapy, medication, or a combination of the two.
It is important that the treatment plan is customized to the needs of the patient.
There are different ways that hypersexuality can affect someone, and they may respond differently to different treatments.
These medications can help to treat and prevent bipolar episodes, including manic episodes associated with hypersexuality.
Relationship Concerns
Both bipolar disorder and associated hypersexuality can include relationship concerns.
With hypersexuality, partner relationships tend to be the most impacted.
This is, in part, related to the link between hypersexuality and sexual risk-taking and infidelity.
Beforetalking to a partner/spouseabout bipolar hypersexuality, take some time to consider their perspective.
It can be hard for them, too, especially if there has been infidelity.
With treatment, however, it is possible to have healthy relationships.
It often presents as a seemingly uncontrollable urge, followed by relief, and then guilt or shame later.
It can be treated and effectively managed with therapy and medications.
People with bipolar disorder experience episodes of depression, mania, and even phases without depression or mania.
With continued treatment, bipolar hypersexuality can be managed, and people can experience healthy, happy sex lives.
2013;42(5):883-893. doi:10.1007/s10508-013-0085-1
Cleveland Clinic.Bipolar disorder.
Updated January 27, 2018.
2016;2016:e5839181.
2016;8(2):6546. doi:10.4081/mi.2016.6546
National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.
2008;42(6):1427-1438. doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2008.06.002
American Psychological Association.Narcissism.
