Are those who can not stop in search of thrills so immoral and vicious, and can an all-consuming thirst for sex be a sign of mental illness? Answer: yes. But hypersexuality can be treated.
Hypersexuality, or increased sex drive, is common in people with bipolar affective disorder (BAD) or manic-depressive illness. A person experiences a sharp change in mood: enthusiasm, bursts of energy, a thirst for adventure (mania) are replaced by despondency and loss of interest in life (depression).
In the manic phase, his sex drive is at its peak, and there are often multiple sexual partners. He is prone to promiscuous relationships, endless viewing of pornography and can hardly distract himself from erotic fantasies even at work.
BAR forums are full of revelations about adventures. Some lead to heartbreaking consequences. Hours lost during masturbation, orgies, broken marriages due to infidelity, the risk of getting AIDS and catching an infection. Many patients are willing to take medication to “calm the itch.”
Here is how the advocate for the rights of people suffering from mental illness, Jess Melancolia, describes his condition:
“In a hypersexual state, I experience intense bouts of sexual desire. It’s like butterflies fluttering in your stomach when you fall in love. It will skyrocket your self-esteem. The temptation to have sex as soon as possible is so intense that I can actually feel it against my skin. This desire cannot be satisfied. I have to actively resist what my body is trying to do. If I don’t take precautions, I’ll do something I’ll regret.
I have a happy marriage and a wonderful husband, and this symptom of my bipolar disorder creates a lot of problems. Last year I was stuck in a manic phase for several months. Then I completely lost control of myself and went into all serious trouble.
All the time I was not enough, nothing could stop me. Although I struggled with my sexual urges, I managed to do it with difficulty.
Don’t be ashamed of your actions. Draw conclusions and move on
Now I can think rationally and try to understand what provoked the race for sex. My husband and I went through every source we could find about hypersexuality and he eventually forgave me. I will always be responsible for my actions, but I now know that my behavior was a common symptom of bipolar disorder.
Every day I am tormented by deep guilt for all my infidelities, but I am no longer ashamed of myself. What happened was a terrible mistake, but I learned from it. Knowledge gives you strength, and every day I strive to become the mistress of my body again. And I hope someday I will succeed once and for all.
Don’t be ashamed of your actions. Draw your own conclusions and move on. If you or someone close to you is experiencing symptoms of hypersexuality or other manifestations, see a doctor without delay.