Yes, people with bipolar disorder often engage in risky behaviors, especially during manic or hypomanic episodes, due to impaired judgment, impulsivity, increased energy, and grandiosity, leading to actions like overspending, substance misuse, reckless driving, and unsafe sexual activity, which can have severe consequences. This impulsivity is a core feature, present even during depressive or stable periods.
Those with bipolar disorder may also engage in risky behaviors such as unprotected sex or extramarital affairs while manic. During episodes of depression, your partner may avoid sexual contact altogether.
To do this, set clear limits and tell the person with bipolar illness about them clearly. This could mean telling them calmly but firmly how their words or actions make you feel, telling them what behaviors you won't put up with, and telling them what will happen if they cross those limits.
Stick to a routine
Day-to-day activities, such as the time you eat meals and go to sleep. Making time for relaxation, mindfulness, hobbies and social plans. Taking any medication at the same time each day. This can also help you manage side effects and make sure there's a consistent level in your system.
Manic and hypomanic episodes include three or more of these symptoms:
The first red flag of bipolar disorder often appears as significant changes in sleep patterns, mood instability (irritability/euphoria), increased energy/agitation, and rapid thoughts/speech, frequently mistaken for unipolar depression or normal moodiness, with sleep disruption (insomnia or oversleeping) and heightened irritability being very common early signs, notes Better Mental Health.
Common triggers the person may experience include:
You can use a 48 hour rule where you wait at least 2 full days with 2 nights sleep before acting on risky decisions. Review your decision to avoid a tempting, but risky, behaviour.
However, many people with bipolar disorder have found the following tools to be helpful in reducing symptoms and maintaining wellness:
The main symptom of bipolar disorder is extreme changes to your mood. You sometimes have either: high moods (mania or hypomania) – for example, feeling very happy, excited or energetic. low moods (depression) – for example, feeling sad, tired or hopeless.
Manipulation in bipolar disorder
During an episode of mania or depression in bipolar disorder, Suarez-Angelino explains, you may act in certain ways that no longer hold true once the mood has passed. This could sometimes be interpreted by others as a manipulation tactic even when the intention wasn't there.
Finally, a recent meta-analysis found that people with BP had significantly more violent behaviors than healthy controls [OR: 4.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.9–5.8] (6).
Let them know you want to understand what they're going through, rather than trying to fix things for them. Ask open questions to learn more about how they're feeling. For example, 'what's it like having bipolar?' Or 'what do you need me to understand about it?'
Bipolar hypersexuality is a common symptom during the manic phase. The hypersexuality symptoms can look like having sex outside of an exclusive relationship, sex with multiple partners or sex with strangers. But it doesn't have to mean increased sexual activity. It doesn't have to involve sex with someone.
There are many mental health conditions that include risky behaviors and impulsivity among their symptoms, including: Bipolar disorder. Post-traumatic-stress disorder. Borderline personality disorder.
You can also support your loved one by:
People with bipolar are more likely to have addictive behaviour issues which can lead to increased spending.
Lithium (Lithobid), anticonvulsants like divalproex (Depakote), and antipsychotics like olanzapine (Zyprexa) are common medications that treat bipolar disorder. There's no single best medication for bipolar disorder. The best treatment depends on a person's symptoms, preferences, and medical history.
Outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, or walking in the park can be a great way for teens with bipolar disorder to get active and connect with nature.
Those with bipolar I depression were mainly hospitalized in summer and winter, whereas for bipolar II depression most admissions for depression occurred in the spring and summer.
It can be very challenge to live with someone who has bipolar disorder, but it's important to first take care of yourself. Having safeguards in place for your safety, practicing mindfulness and setting limits can help loved ones cope with bipolar disorder in the household.
Watching someone you love struggle with Bipolar Disorder can be equally challenging and exhausting. Seeing your loved one experience hopelessness, frequent crying spells, social and career frustrations, and feelings of worthlessness can be heartbreaking.
People with bipolar disorder often experience periods of extremely “up,” elated, irritable, or energized behavior (known as manic episodes) and very “down,” sad, indifferent, or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes).
The Takeaway. A poor diet can contribute to bipolar mood episodes, and certain food choices may help manage them. People with bipolar disorder should avoid or limit caffeine, alcohol, sugar, salt, and saturated fats.
Ignoring a person with bipolar disorder can escalate their mood swings and trigger their negative emotions. It can be harmful to a person and your relationship with that person. This is because such a person might experience frequent changes in emotional stability.