HAVING an abnormally high sex drive could be a sign of bipolar disorder, a new study has found.
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 UK, has confirmed the link between hypersexual behaviour and mental health condition for the first time.
It found that almost 90 per cent of people with bipolar suffer from stints of hypersexuality, more commonly known as sex addiction.
Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings.
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It is estimated that more than a million people in the UK have the condition.
People with hypersexual disorder have behaviour associated with intense sexual fantasies to the extent that it 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 forward in understanding the challenges faced by people living with bipolar.
“This is crucial because once someone recognises that it’s a symptom, they can take steps to protect themselves should they become unwell again, and they can also begin to let go of any unresolved shame or blame."
The study, published in the Lancet, surveyed 1500 people living with bipolar to find out more about their sex lives.
It found over 88 per cent of sufferers had experienced the symptom of hypersexual behaviour – suggesting this could be affecting over 800,000 people across the nation.
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Over half of respondents [54 per cent] had experienced more than eight periods of hypersexual behaviour, with two-thirds saying that each period of this behaviour had lasted for a month or more.
Worryingly, over half [54 per cent] also said their sexual urges had put them in potentially dangerous situations, with a quarter saying that they had contracted an STI and 19 per cent saying it had resulted in an unplanned pregnancy.
Some 22 per cent 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 behaviour, said: “For me, symptoms of hypersexual behaviour are linked to risk-taking when I’m manic, and I’m not even aware of it at the time.
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“Hypersexuality is a symptom of bipolar.
"While I recognise and understand the shame and guilt associated with it when I am stable, it is not something I should need to carry the burden of long-term.
“Shame linked to hypersexuality is devastating. Talking about it openly, free from that shame, is really important.
“We need to get over the invisibility of the symptom and use psycho-education to find ways to cope in the aftermath of an episode."
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CEO of Bipolar UK, Simon Kitchen, added: “Bipolar is a complex mental health condition characterised by extended periods of extreme highs and depressive lows.
"It currently takes on average 9.5 years to get a diagnosis after first telling a healthcare professional about symptoms.
“There is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach when it comes to treating bipolar, but medication, support and self-management strategies are key protective factors.
“The message we want to get out to anyone who’s struggling with any of the symptoms – including hypersexual behaviour - 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 illness, then they will usually refer you to a psychiatrist.
You'll be asked some questions to determine if you have the illness and if you do, you'll discuss what treatments are most suitable.
In most cases, you'll be asked about your symptoms and when you first started to experience them.
Medics will also want to know about your family history and if any relatives have suffered with mental health issues and disorders.
There are treatments available that aim to help handle episodes and reduce their effect on the individual’s life.
With treatment, episodes can improve within three months.
For prescribed medication, see the NHS website.
For more information and support, visit Bipolar UK, where there is access to peer support lines, support groups and an e-community
