Bipolar disorder and sexuality: a preliminary qualitative pilot study

This peer-reviewed qualitative study examines how sexuality changes across bipolar mood states. Participants described increased sexual drive, stronger sexual impulses, experimentation, additional partners, and relationship disruption during hypomanic or manic episodes. Importantly, changes in sexual drive sometimes functioned as an early warning sign of an approaching episode. The article also distinguishes sexual desire from sexual behavior and discusses identity, shame, relationships, coping strategies, and whether sexual health should be addressed in routine bipolar treatment.

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SUPPLEMENTARY PROFFESIONAL READING

A useful companion is the concise 2024 Lancet Psychiatry commentary Hypersexuality in bipolar disorder: an overlooked symptom. It is more directly focused on the subject and explains the clinical risks and research gaps exceptionally well. production. This article does not provide us permission to reprint.

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