Bipolar Disorder and Sex
Published: Sat, 10/22/11
Hi ,
How are you doing today?
I hope you're having a good day.
Boy, I bet you were surprised by today's
topic, weren't you?
It probably at least piqued your curiosity,
I bet.
One thing is that it got you wondering...
Or at least thinking that this is one subject that
no one ever talks about.
But I'll tell you...
Sex and bipolar disorder is a topic that I get questions
and comments about more often than you know.
Sometimes because of the obvious reasons...
Someone might write me an email about their loved
one who is in a manic episode...
And you know that with manic episodes sometimes
comes the symptom of an increased sex drive.
In fact, that can be one of the symptoms or indications
that your loved one is in a manic episode.
Or they talk about their loved one being depressed...
And that they have lost all interest in sex.
And that can be a symptom of or indication that your
loved one is in a bipolar depressive episode.
Depression can take away their sex drive.
That's one of the things I talk about in my
courses/systems below:
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But if that does happen, just know that it doesn't
have anything to do with you - it is not your
fault that they are not interested in sex.
That's one thing that is common with supporters -
They wonder if their loved one's lack of interest
in sex is their fault, or if they've done something
to cause it.
Sometimes all they need to know is that it's
because of the bipolar disorder itself that their
loved one is not interested in sex.
Another major reason that your loved one may not
be interested in sex is because of their bipolar
medication.
This happens frequently with people who have
bipolar disorder.
There are two problems with their medication:
One is that it takes away their sex drive altogether.
Again, if this happens, just understand that it has
nothing to do with you, and it is not your fault.
The other thing could be that even if they do have
a sex drive, the medication makes it difficult
for them to perform sexually, or to achieve an
orgasm.
If the problem is due to medication, sometimes the
problem can be remedied.
If the problem is that the medication just makes
your loved one too sleepy for sex, simply have
sex before they take their medication.
Or you might be able to talk to your loved one's
doctor and change the time that they take their
medication to allow for a more active sex life.
If your loved one is a man, something like Viagra
may be able to help - talk to their doctor about
this.
But when it comes to bipolar disorder and sex, sex
is only one part of the equation.
What you are really probably concerned about is
intimacy, and intimacy is more than sex.
Intimacy is more about the closeness that two
people can share.
You don't have to sacrifice the closeness just
because your loved one's bipolar medication
makes it difficult for you to have a normal
sex life with them.
Even hand holding or snuggling can be
considered intimate acts and can show the
other person that you care about them and that
they care about you.
Just being together can be intimate.
Maybe just talking about your relationship
or things that concern just the two of you, or
sharing past memories together... even that
can be intimate.
A romantic dinner with some candlelight
and soft music can be considered intimate
as well.
What matters is the closeness.
Just being together is what counts when
you're talking about intimacy.
If you're concerned about problems in your sex
life, talk about it with your loved one's doctor -
he or she may have other suggestions for you.
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Visit: http://www.bipolarcentral.com/testimonials
Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
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