Yes, bipolar disorder and narcissism (Narcissistic Personality Disorder or traits) can co-occur, sharing symptoms like grandiosity, high self-esteem, impulsivity, and reward-seeking, often making diagnosis tricky, but they are distinct conditions, with bipolar involving mood episodes (mania/depression) and narcissism being a pervasive personality pattern. The grandiosity in bipolar mania can look like narcissism, but narcissism lacks bipolar's classic mood swings and can present as a coping mechanism or co-exist, complicating treatment.
Bipolar disorder behavior may appear manipulative, but it often stems from symptoms such as emotional dysregulation or poor executive function. Mood swings and intense emotions can affect how a person thinks, feels, and interacts with others, which can make it very difficult to clearly express needs.
Here, mental health experts share seven common phrases to avoid saying to anyone with bipolar disorder — and the thoughtful, helpful things to say instead.
Complications of narcissistic personality disorder, and other conditions that can occur along with it include:
While bipolar disorder and narcissistic personality disorder are two distinct mental health diagnoses, researchers have long noted a link between the two, including symptoms of setting excessively high goals and impulsivity. Other shared traits may include a lack of empathy, sleep deficiencies, and mood changes.
Focusing on individual ACEs, in males, all maltreatment experiences were associated with narcissistic rivalry, with the exception of physical neglect, while in women only emotional maltreatment and emotional neglect were significant. Associations with household dysfunction were shown only in men.
Common triggers for episodes include stressful life events, drastic changes, substance abuse, disrupted sleep, and abruptly stopping medication. During manic episodes, avoid arguments, intense conversations, and taking comments personally; staying calm helps reduce tension and creates a safer environment.
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.
Bipolar 2 Disorder
Bipolar II disorder is diagnosed when a person experiences a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but not the full-blown manic episodes found in bipolar I disorder. However, some Bipolar II patients may have longer lasting and more severe bouts of depression.
The Big Five personality comprises independent traits of neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness (McCrae and John 1992) and forms the basis of several personality inventories (Costa and McCrae 1992).
Moderate Stage: More frequent and intense episodes that disrupt daily life. Severe Stage: Extreme mood swings with increased risk of self-harm or hospitalization. End-Stage Bipolar Disorder: Constant, severe symptoms that no longer respond to traditional treatments.
Frequency of borderline personality disorder (BPD) in individuals with bipolar disorder. Across all studies, the frequency of BPD in the 1255 patients with bipolar disorder was 16.0% (n=201). In the 12 studies of 598 patients with bipolar I disorder, the prevalence of BPD was 10.7% (n=64).
If you have bipolar disorder, it's important to know what can trigger your high and low moods. This can include things like feeling stressed, not getting enough sleep or being too busy. There are some things you can do that can help to keep your moods stable.
Symptoms of bipolar mania
Many people believe that bipolar disorder comes with only sad depression or euphoric mania. In reality, this is just 50 percent of bipolar disorder. The other side of bipolar includes symptoms of irritation, anger, restlessness, and a volatile, mean, and nasty mood.
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.
Stressful life events
Or it may make symptoms feel more intense or difficult to manage. Things that can cause stress include: A relationship breakdown. Money worries and poverty.
A bipolar meltdown could look different depending on the symptoms you're currently experiencing. For example, you might: Go on a “binge,” or “bender,” of continuous reckless activities, like substance use, unsafe sex, or spending money. Become verbally aggressive with someone, even someone you love.
Here are nine helpful strategies to consider the next time you're interacting with someone who might be experiencing bipolar disorder-related anger:
Narcissistic traits often peak in late adolescence and early adulthood (around ages 14-23), particularly with grandiosity and entitlement, as individuals seek identity and status, but then tend to decline as people mature and face life's realities, though some individuals with NPD may see intensification in these years before a potential mellowing in middle age.
Understanding their behavior, setting firm boundaries, and finding ways to protect your emotional well-being are key to navigating this dynamic. With the right strategies and support, you can create a healthier balance despite their actions. Therapy can help you leave and recover from a narcissistic relationship.
Based on some overlapping symptoms, borderline personality disorder (BPD) and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are two mental health disorders that are often mistaken for one another.
Bipolar disorder is frequently inherited, with genetic factors accounting for approximately 80% of the cause of the condition. Bipolar disorder is the most likely psychiatric disorder to be passed down from family. If one parent has bipolar disorder, there's a 10% chance that their child will develop the illness.