I’ve even been in touch with the ex-boyfriend who I faked the miscarriage with and he was so understanding once he knew more about bipolar.
Making the documentary, getting the therapy and finally getting my medication right have all made a difference to my life now. And I’m happy to say I’ve moved on from what happened and have been able to form loving and meaningful relationships.
Thankfully, I’ve been stable now since 2017 and haven’t had an episode since then. Having a routine and taking care of my physical health — getting sleep and exercise – really helps. I’ve established my career in climate change adaptation at a big London firm and I choose to live on a narrow boat, being surrounded by nature soothes me, watching the ducks and listening to the birds brings me calm and peace.
I’ve done a lot of work to help understand the shame so I don’t have to bear it now. No one talks about hypersexual episodes, despite how common they are, but by sharing my own dark times I hope others might feel able to talk to their doctors and get the help they need, too. It’s also crucial that more healthcare professionals are aware of hypersexual behaviour and its link to bipolar, to be able to treat it seriously as a symptom.
If, one day in the future I decide I would like to have children, it would involve coming off medication so would need a lot of consideration. I know there’s always a chance I can have another episode and have to accept that this is part of me and it’s shaped my life and who I am. It defines me, but I won’t let it own me.
As told to Susanna Galton
The link between bipolar and hypersexual behaviour
Hundreds of thousands of people living with bipolar disorder in the UK could be experiencing periods of “hypersexual behaviour”, according to a landmark new study published in The Lancet Psychiatry Journal.
The research, conducted by Bipolar UK, marks the first time hypersexual behaviour and bipolar disorder have been linked. Over 1,500 people with bipolar were surveyed, with 88 per cent reporting they’d experienced hypersexual behaviour. One in five had been raped or attempted suicide as a result.
Frequently misunderstood, it takes on average 9.5 years to get a diagnosis for bipolar disorder which affects over one million people in the UK.
Potentially hundreds of thousands of these people experience hypersexual behaviours, defined as an “unusual or excessive concern with or participation in sexual activity,” leading to people taking life-threatening risks.
Dr Clare Dolman is the lead researcher and co-chairman of the Bipolar Commission, she herself has bipolar disorder.
“The vast majority of those living with bipolar experience hypersexual behaviour, with 69% of those saying they had tried to seduce someone; and 54% saying they had put themselves in potentially dangerous situations as a result.
“The consequences of this can be devastating. Over half [54%] lost a relationship; with a quarter saying that they had contracted an STI, and 19% saying it had resulted in an unplanned pregnancy.
“Heartbreakingly, 22% of respondents said they had been raped during a period of hypersexuality (28% of women, 9% of men), and more than a third said they had been sexually assaulted (42% of women, 15% of men).”
The negative impact is huge, with 40% left feeling ashamed and 61% experiencing suicidal thoughts.
One in five respondents reported they had attempted suicide because of a period of hypersexual behaviour or its consequences.
Bipolar UK is the only national charity dedicated to supporting people affected by bipolar. For more information, visit www.bipolaruk.org
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
