Do people with bipolar disorder tend to have violent, aggressive behavior when drinking alcohol?
603880
Yes. My mother is bipolar, and she can be very aggressive anyways, and drinking increases the aggressive behavior. Not to mention the fact that bipolar people should be on regular medications, medications that do not mix well with alcohol. Make sure he is on his medications, ask him to stop drinking, suggest he makes an appointment with his psychiatrist. Perhaps you may join in on a session or two with him.
680220
If you are talking about Native Americans, then I would say they are both about as bad-tempered. How do I know? I am Irish and my husband is Native American. However, we've learned to "cool it" over the years. Irish and Native American also seem to have equally bad problems with alcohol. We are both abstainers, but we have the same severe alcoholism in our family backgrounds. Like my husband says: "Irish and Indian, they's a lot alike!"
562185
Moderate alcohol use may worsen bipolar illness\n\nThe effect of alcohol consumption on bipolar disorder severity may not be confined to heavy drinkers, say researchers who found adverse effects even for those who drink alcohol at levels consistent with low-risk drinking guidelines.\n\nThe effects of alcohol are dependent on a variety of factors, including a person's size, weight, age, and sex, as well as the amount of food and alcohol consumed. \nAlcohol is a depressant, which slows down thinking and actions\nModerate amounts of alcohol raise levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good" cholesterol),(6) and higher HDL levels are associated with greater protection against heart disease. Moderate alcohol consumption has also been linked with beneficial changes in a variety of factors that influence blood clotting, such as tissue type plasminogen activator, fibrinogen, clotting factor VII, and Von Willebrand factor.(6) Such changes would tend to prevent the formation of small blood clots that can block arteries in the heart, neck, and brain, the ultimate cause of many heart attacks and the most common kind of stroke\n\nAlcohol can be good for you and bad for you:\nModerately taken, it has some health benefits, however it is when you drink too much that the benefits turn into bad things.
95612
In a nutshell...Bipolar is a cyclic changing from manic good moods to low depression. Borderline is characterized by see everying in black and white - no middle ground. For more info see below.\n\n\nBipolar Disorder\nBipolar disorder is a condition that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy, and functioning. In most populations it affects around 1 percent of the population. Men and women are equally likely to develop this often-disabling illness. The disorder typically emerges in adolescence or early adulthood and affects sufferers throughout their lifespan. \n\nAlthough traditionally thought of as an adult disorder, there is now recognition that children also suffer from bipolar disorder. There are no definite known causes. Scientists believe that Bipolar Disorder may be caused by a combination of biological and psychological factors. Most commonly the onset of this disorder can be linked to stressful life events. Cycles, or episodes, of depression, mania, or "mixed" manic and depressive symptoms typically recur and may become more frequent, often disrupting work, school, family, and social life. \n\nThe "kindling" theory suggests that persons who are genetically prone (toward bipolar) experience a series of stressful events, each of which lowers the threshold at which mood changes occur. Then at some point these mood changes occur spontaneously. The person then "becomes bipolar". This might explain why the cause of bipolar is difficult to pinpoint but is somehow related to genetics and environment.\n\nBorderline Personality Disorder\nBorderline personality disorder (BPD) is a personality disorder characterised by extreme 'black and white' thinking, mood swings, emotional reasoning, disrupted relationships and difficulty in functioning in a way society accepts as normal.\n\nThe name comes from the DSM-IV-TR; the ICD-10 in Europe has an equivalent called Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder. Psychiatrists describe borderline personality disorder as a serious mental illness characterized by pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self-image, and behavior. This instability often disrupts family and work life, long-term planning, and the individual's sense of self-identity.\n\nOriginally thought to be at the "borderline" between psychosis and neurosis, people with BPD suffer from a disorder of emotion regulation. While less well-known than schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (manic-depression), BPD is more common, affecting two percent of adults, mostly young women. There is a high rate of self-injury without suicidal intent, as well as a significant rate of suicide attempts and completed suicide in severe cases. \n\nIn some instances people with BPD kill themselves by accident in a case of self-injury that goes too far. Patients often need extensive mental health services, and they account for 20 percent of psychiatric hospitalizations. With help, however, many will improve over time and are eventually able to lead productive lives.
189653
In the manic phase the individual has a very short attention span, demonstrates pressured speech, often engages in risky activities such as gambling, substance or alcohol use, or risky sexual behavior.  Often the person can go several days without requiring sleep.  Their family will report things like they are vigorously scrubbing the walls at 2:30 in the morning.  There seems to be a preference towards methamphetamine as the substance of choice if they are abusing substances.  The depressive phase can be very difficult to distinguish from other major depression - it is usually the manic phase that distinguishes the disorder as bipolar.\n\nThere are lesser versions of true bipolarism - hypomania and dysthymia with swings in mood that are not as drastic as full blown bipolarism.
1133574
Symptoms - Intermittant Explosive Disorder\nMental Help Net Staff\n\nIntermittent Explosive Disorder\nSymptoms\n\nSeveral discrete episodes of failure to resist aggressive impulses that result in serious assaultive acts or destruction of property. \n\nThe degree of aggressiveness expressed during the episodes is grossly out of proportion to any precipitating psychosocial stressors. \n\nThe aggressive episodes are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g., Antisocial Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, a Psychotic Disorder, a Manic Episode, Conduct Disorder, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., head trauma, Alzheimer's disease). \n\nCriteria summarized from:\nAmerican Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association. \n\n\n\nIntermittent Explosive Disorder\nSymptoms\n\nSeveral discrete episodes of failure to resist aggressive impulses that result in serious assaultive acts or destruction of property. \n\nThe degree of aggressiveness expressed during the episodes is grossly out of proportion to any precipitating psychosocial stressors\nThe aggressive episodes are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g., Antisocial Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, a Psychotic Disorder, a Manic Episode, Conduct Disorder, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., head trauma, Alzheimer's disease). \n\nCriteria summarized from:\nAmerican Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association. \n\n\nUpdated: Nov 5th 2001
1132280
No, a person does not have to be suicidal to be bipolar.  Also there are many different types of bipolar.  Type 1s generally is what most people think of when the hear the word bipolar...it has the manic highs and depressed lows.  Type 2s are the more docile of the types...more low lows and low to medium highs.  Generally speaking people with type 2 bipolar are often misdiagnosed as having depression or even cyclothymic disorder.  Ask you doctor to screen you for Type 2 Bipolar and check out www.nami.org.
27662
Great answer by hidden_smiles.  The one thing I would add is that the period of mania can be exhibited as grandiosity.  Rapid speech and multiple ideas coming out at the same time.  An agitated frame of mind, extreme nervousness and paranoia.  Insomnia is a corollary having to do with the nervousness.  In some cases the grandiosity is expressed as irritability and anger.  The difficult thing is that there's no test as such for bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder.  One of the ways that bipolar disorder disorder is deduced is through a long term analysis by a counsellor, social worker or psychiatrist.  Another indicator is an adverse reaction to anti-depressant medication such as Zoloft or Celexa.  In some cases being on this medication can push somebody with bi-polar tendencies towards a state of mania.  The good news is that there are mood stabilizers that can be provided by a licensed psychiatrist if this is diagnosed.  All in all, there is a lot of help for this and a lot of information online.  Good luck to you.
507539
I myself am bipolar. I have been in a relationship for 8 years now. My fiance has had to learn the hard way how to deal with my mood swings. He says u have to be very understanding,supportive,and willing to help in time of need. I have abused him in more ways than 1 since we been together,but he justs takes it the best way he can. There are groups that help people with bipolar and for those who love someone with bipolar. Learning all you can about bipolar will help out alot also.
679862
i know this isn't the answer your looking for, but as a friend, I'll give you my take for what ever its worth.i was classified as bipolar ever since i was a kid.doctors have put me on countless meds. throughout my life.meds. have never had any effect on me.before i knew the Lord,i thought of meds. as the answer.now that I'm a believer,i don't take meds. any longer and don't go to therapy.I'm not saying that he should not take any meds but that he must put his trust in the Lord to help him with this.let me put it another way,if you quit drinking by willpower alone you will always have cravings and may go back to drinking.if you ask Jesus to take this addiction away from you,you will not have any cravings and will never need A.A.if you need further proof,go to your local church and ask to speak to believers who quit drinking.i feel you should ask brothers from your church to talk to him and ask the sisters for support.i also don't know why people can't answer your question with respect.\nP.S. i loved your answer you gave to my question,you must be the glue that keeps your relationship together\n                     God Bless
405877
Bipolar Disorder:\nWhat Is Bipolar Disorder?\n\nBipolar disorder used to be known as manic depression. It's a serious illness, one that can lead to risky behavior, damaged relationships and careers, even suicidal tendencies -- if it's not treated. \n\nBipolar disorder is characterized by extreme changes in mood (poles) -- from mania to depression. Between these mood swings, a person with Bipolar disorder may experience normal moods.\n\n"Manic" describes an increasingly restless, energetic, talkative, reckless, powerful, euphoric period. Lavish spending sprees or impulsive risky sex can be irresistible. Then, at some point, this high-flying mood can spiral into something darker -- irritation, confusion, anger, feeling trapped.\n\n"Depression" describes the opposite mood -- sadness, crying, sense of worthlessness, loss of energy, loss of pleasure, sleep problems. \n\nBut because the pattern of highs and lows varies for each person, bipolar disorder is a complex disease to diagnose. For some people, mania or depression can last for weeks or months, even for years. For other people, bipolar disorder takes the form of frequent and dramatic mood shifts. \n\n"There's a whole spectrum of symptoms and mood changes that have been found in bipolar disorder," says Michael Aronson, MD, a clinical psychiatrist and consultant for WebMD. "It's not always dramatic mood swings. In fact, some people seem to get along just fine. The manic periods can be very, very productive. They think things are going great."\n\nThe danger comes, he says, when the mania grows much worse. "The change can be very dramatic, with catastrophic results. People can get involved in reckless behavior, spend a lot of money, there may be sexual promiscuity, sexual risks." \n\nThe depressed phases can be equally dangerous: A person may have frequent thoughts of suicide.\n\nIf you or someone you know has thoughts of death or suicide, contact a health-care professional, loved one, friend, or call 911 immediately. \n\nBipolar disorder is equally difficult for families of those affected. The condition is the most difficult mental illness for families to accept, Aronson tells WebMD. "Families can more easily accept schizophrenia, to understand that it is an illness. But when a person is sometimes very productive, then becomes unreasonable or irrational, it wreaks more havoc on the family. It seems more like bad behavior, like they won't straighten up." \n\nIf this rings true -- either for you or a loved one -- the first step in tackling the problem is to see a psychiatrist. Whether it's bipolar disorder or another mood-related problem, effective treatments are available. What's most important is that you recognize the problem, and start looking for help.\n\nBorderline Personality Disorder \n\nTopic Overview \n\n\nWhat is borderline personality disorder?\nBorderline personality disorder is a mental health condition that causes unstable emotions, impulsiveness, relationship problems, and an unstable self-image. People with the disorder often behave self-destructively, have problems managing anger, and have an intense fear of being rejected and left alone (abandoned). They often also struggle with other conditions such as depression, eating disorders, or substance abuse problems. \n\nSigns of the disorder usually first appear in childhood, but problems often don't develop until early adulthood. Treatment can be difficult. Setbacks are common, and recovery from troubling emotional and behavioral symptoms can take years. However, treatment may be more effective than was previously thought, and even people with severe symptoms usually improve over time.1\n\nWhat are the symptoms?\nFeatures of borderline personality disorder include aggressive behavior, difficulty controlling emotions and impulses, problems with unstable and intense relationships, a low sense of self-worth, and frantic anxiety
54509
YES. Anger is often a key component of Bipolar Disorder. I have worked with many teens with bipolar and they all had problems with rage and or self-destructive behavior. Occasionally rage and psychosis manifest similarly. You should check with your therapist to see if he can put you on anti-psychotics/mood stabilizers such as Seroquel.
934936
Being a retired mental health practitioner with 20+ years experience, I can tell you from all that psychiatric and counseling care I provided that one who is diagnosed as having a bipolar disorder SHOULD NOT be "getting hammered", if by that you mean drunk from alcohol or other drugs, whether they are on medication or not.  Alcohol and other "street drugs" offer no long term remedy from a long term illness.  Contrarily, they offer only severe cyclic affective disorders which only exacerbates the problem.  I have had clients who came to our clinic who have used alcohol to "self-medicate" their bi-polar disorder, but finally turned to a regimented care since they could not control their alcoholic intake and the destruction caused by self-medicating with alcohol and other illegal drugs really made a mess of things.  I hope I have made this clear for you without being too wordy.  God Bless you.
1069749
Some people might criticize the way I handle stress, but I think it's very healthy.  Rather than playing it cool and denying that I am under stress, I yell, curse, and throw things.  I don't do this around others though.  The point is that I acknowledge my feelings.  If times get really hard, then I find that a nice drink helps, LOL.
280532
There is no exact answer, but in the vast majority of cases, Medication is required. Generally, if someone is truly diagnosed as bipolar from a professional, their prognosis (ability to deal with it) is much worse without medication. Most need to take medication for life, some eventually (after some experience) learn to deal without it.\n\nThe most important thing to remember with medication is that it is not an end all, but a first step (with bi-polar, a mandatory first step). Medication should be used as a way to stabalize you so that you are in the right mindset to be open to psychotherapy. It's like being drunk; a drunk cannot be reasoned with nor make themselves open to growth. If you want to really help someone who is drunk, you must wait until they are sober to have any kind of good effect. Medication (with the right dosage/type) helps someone with a mental disorder sober up so that they are ready to receive help and grow.
972972
uh...perhaps you need to look up the definition of bipolar. cause honey...that's part of the illness.\n\nthere are two types. bipolar type 1 and bipolar type 2.\n\nBipolar Disorder Type I. Bipolar disorder type I is characterized by at least one manic episode, with or without major depression. With mania, either euphoria or irritability may mark the phase, and there are significant negative effects (such as sexual recklessness, excessive impulse shopping, sudden traveling) on a patients' social life, work, or both. Untreated mania lasts at least a week or results in hospitalization. Typically, depressive episodes tend to last six to 12 months if untreated. However, untreated manic episodes last three to six months. \n\n\nBipolar Disorder Type II. Bipolar disorder type II is characterized by at least one episode of hypomania and at least one episode of major depression. With hypomania the symptoms of mania (euphoria or irritability) appear in milder forms and are of shorter duration. They do not affect social or work life as dramatically, and hospitalization is not generally required. \n\nmy advise....date mentally stable women!
980347
There are no mental illness that do not impair cognitive thinking but cause violence/violent tendencies. Only criminal behavior - and maybe tempory insanity (e.g. anger).\n\nHope this answers your question!