Hypersexual behavior could be an early warning sign of a mental health problem – 15 signs to know

HAVING an abnormally high sex drive could be a sign of bipolar disorder, a new study finds.

Experts hope the revelation will help reduce the average 9.5 year delay in diagnosis currently experienced by people in the UK.

The study, led by the charity Bipolar UKconfirmed for the first time the link between hypersexual behavior and mental health conditions.

Almost 90% of people with bipolar have been found to suffer from periods of hypersexuality, more commonly known as sex addiction.

Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health problem that causes extreme mood swings.

It is estimated that more than a million people in the UK have the disease.

People with hypersexual disorder have behavior associated with intense sexual fantasies that can be distressing and disruptive to their lives.

Dr Clare Dolman, lead researcher and co-chair of the Bipolar Commission, said: “These findings are an important step in understanding the challenges faced by people living with bipolar.

“This is crucial because once someone recognizes that it is a symptom, they can take steps to protect themselves if they become ill again, and they can also begin to let go of any unresolved shame or guilt.”

The study, published in the Lancet, interviewed 1,500 people living with bipolar disorder to find out more about their sex lives.

It found that more than 88 percent of sufferers had experienced the symptom of hypersexual behavior – suggesting this could be affecting more than 800,000 people across the country.

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More than half of those interviewed [54 per cent] experienced more than eight periods of hypersexual behavior, with two-thirds saying each period of this behavior lasted a month or more.

Worryingly, more than half [54 per cent] also said their sexual urges had put them in potentially dangerous situations, with a quarter saying they had contracted an STI and 19 percent saying it had resulted in an unplanned pregnancy.

About 22 percent of respondents said they had been raped during a period of hypersexuality and more than a third said they had experienced some form of sexual assault.

Anne Chataigné, who co-wrote a short documentary ‘Trust Me’ about living with bipolar and the symptoms of hypersexual behavior, said: “For me, the symptoms of hypersexual behavior are linked to risk-taking when I’m manic, and I’ I’m not even aware of it at the time.

“Hypersexuality is a symptom of bipolarity.

“While I recognize and understand the shame and guilt associated with this when I am stable, it is not something I should need to carry the long-term burden of.

“The shame linked to hypersexuality is devastating. Talking about it openly, without shame, is very important.

“We need to overcome the invisibility of the symptom and use psychoeducation to find ways to deal with the consequences of an episode.”

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Bipolar UK CEO Simon Kitchen added: “Bipolar is a complex mental health condition characterized by long periods of extreme highs and depressive lows.

“Currently, it takes an average of 9.5 years to get a diagnosis after telling a healthcare professional about symptoms.

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to treating bipolar disorder, but medication, support and self-management strategies are essential protective factors.

“The message we want to convey to anyone struggling with any of the symptoms – including hypersexual behavior – is that, with the right treatment and support, it is possible to live a full and meaningful life with the condition.”

What is the bipolar personality test?

If your GP thinks you have the condition, they will usually refer you to a psychiatrist.

You will be asked a few questions to determine if you have the condition, and if you do, you will discuss which treatments are most appropriate.

In most cases, you will be asked about your symptoms and when you started experiencing them.

Doctors will also want to know about your family history and whether any relatives have suffered from mental health problems and disorders.

There are treatments available that aim to help manage the episodes and reduce their effects on the individual’s life.

With treatment, episodes may improve within three months.

For prescription medications, see the SNS website.

For more information and support, visit Bipolar UKwhere there is access to peer helplines, support groups and an electronic community