ASK Dr. LEEDOM: What is the difference between bipolar disorder and sociopathy?
A Lovefraud reader sent the following question:
I have friend who is diagnosed as manic depressive. He displays or exhibits some of the traits of a sociopath, but I read that being manic depressives clouds whether someone is a sociopath. I don’t want to believe he is a sociopath, but I also do not want to be a fool. Suggestions or thoughts? I have one person telling me he’s a sociopath and I need to run away from him as fast as possible. That seems like the cowardly thing to do though. If we approached all people with problems that way, where would our society be?
People with bipolar disorder have sociopathic traits only while manic
Thank you for writing in with this important question. Many people with bipolar disorder develop exaggerated sociopathic traits while in the manic state. I first learned of this as a psychiatry resident. I had an outpatient I had followed for several months. He was a high functioning kind, compassionate, person. However, he stopped his medication and was admitted in a manic state. I did not know of his admission until the weekend, while on call, I was called up to an emergency on the inpatient unit. The emergency was the patient I thought I knew so well. He was agitated, aggressive and behaved in a very manipulative way. He was also disconnected from the treatment bond he had formed with me. He was clearly NOT the same man I had seen the previous month in my office!
Sociopaths often have “manic moods”
While sociopaths seem less likely to develop depression, they can show symptoms of mania. Mania is an expansive mood where the person seeks increased involvement in goal directed activities. Manic people are high energy and sometimes hypersexual. I often thought that my former husband seemed a bit on the manic side. His mind always seemed to be on the go. He liked to talk a lot, especially on the telephone. He was also somewhat arrogant. The arrogant, grandiose attitude of sociopaths and narcissists, also overlaps with the grandiosity of mania.
Since mania and sociopathy share many common features they are likely related disorders
Here is a list of traits/behaviors common to mania and sociopathy
- Increased energy
- Grandiosity
- Talkativeness
- Hypersexuality
- Pursuit of schemes to make money, legally and illegally
- Strong power/dominance motive with or without aggression
- Poor impulse control
If you look at the list, you may notice that these traits/behaviors are also seen with cocaine intoxication. The reason for the commonality is that these disorders are caused at least in part by disturbed function of the mesolimbic dopamine reward pathway of the brain.
How can an untrained person tell the difference between sociopathy and bipolar disorder?
In cases in the extremes of both disorders the distinction is clear. That is the person with bipolar disorder develops and episode where he has the symptoms. Sociopathy is not episodic. It is a way of life! However, there are many people with bipolar disorder who are also sociopaths. The sociopathy is much worse when they are manic.
The key to recognizing a person you want to have as an intimate friend, is the Inner Triangle. Ask yourself if the person has developed Ability to Love. Is he/she affectionate, empathetic and concerned genuinely for the well-being of others? Does he she show appropriate Impulse Control? Does he/she have high moral standards?
A friend of mine asked me recently if I ever planned on an intimate relationship with a man again. I told her that I had come to realize that there is no room in my life for a partner that lacks a well-developed triangle. I hope you will think about this post and make the same choice.
written by Liane Leedom, M.D. • Permalink •
Fighter says:
Great article.
Here’s one to back up what you say:
http://cyberpaths.blogspot.com.....ships.html
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Sunday, 18 March 2007 @ 6:18pm
bruce.eb says:
Good, one can easily find out the difference between sociopathy and manic although they seems to be alike.
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bruce
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Monday, 16 February 2009 @ 4:03pm
OxDrover says:
Though this is an older article, I had not seen it before. In my situation with a psychopath I call the Trojan HOrse psychopath (professionally diagnosed) he was also diagnosed and treated for bi-polar disorder. In the time I knew him, it appeared that his bi-polar disorder was “under control.” I saw no obvious manic or depressive episodes.
I have also known other people with bi-polar who when not manic were apparently “reasonable” people, but who, when Manic, were WAAAAY out in left field with psychopathic type behavior.
I have also known others who were not “diagnosed” professionally with either disorder, that I would have diagnosed as both bi-polar and psychopathic, with the psychopathic behavior being more out of control during manic episodes and more violent. Apparently when they were not manic they could “keep a lid” on it better at least publicly. During episodes of mania, though, they seemed to lose all impulse control or judgment. Several of them would “self medicate” with alcohol or drugs during manic episodes which increased the violence and poor judgment and little impulse control, making a dangerous combination.
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Monday, 16 February 2009 @ 4:18pm
keeping_faith says:
Liane,
The only problem I see with understanding and observing for the “inner triangle” is that sociopaths, in the beginning, are so good at imitating these positive behaviors. I didn’t recognize the incapability and inconsistency until late.
What I am afraid of is that we look for the negatives of the inner triangle and run like hell maybe prematurely.
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Monday, 16 February 2009 @ 4:31pm
martin says:
Depression is one of those disorders which most people face in there life as some stage for one reason or the other. If it’s children the pressure of studies gets over their head and if it’s adults the pressure of work attracts depression. Rather than going on drugs, one should look for the reason behind there problem . Keeping your self busy and changing the schedule also helps sometimes to get over stress and depression.
The best way to get over stress, depression and anxiety is to take a break from your regular schedule, go out, and take good sleep. This helps in clearing the mind and try consulting a specialist who can suggest you as how you can get over your problem. You can have all necessary information about this on http://www.xanax-effects.com There are various prescription drugs to get over anxiety and depression, but these should only be used in accordance with the instruction of a physician and going on anti depressants should be the last option.
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Monday, 17 August 2009 @ 1:34am
Tilly says:
OMG!!! you are an angel from heaven! I have been praying everyday for this information!!!
I have just had an awful experience with a man who said he was “bi-polar”. I had to deal with him on a business level. To get the deal that was good for me I had to get to know him.
He said he takes “purple pills” daily. He said he often takes more than required because they make him so high. He said to me that, ” I am one of those types of bi-polars who doesn’t have the down times. I am iether “normal/neutral ” or manic. When I take extra purple pills, then I always am much happier/higher than usual.”
Because of my history I treated this man like “as if ” he were a narcissist from day one. He responded to all the compliments and played right into my hands. I also told him that I have never loved anyone and I don’t know what it feels like to love. I said I see people like they are buses…that “there is always another one coming around the corner”. I said people are just floor shows and there will be another floor show next week. He immediately identified, and whilst I played the role he was no threat.However he never stopped looking for ways to exploit me. Even after he “knew we were the same”. I told him “I would rather have a toffe apple” than have sex. I showed him all my weapons (easy off etc). HE LOVED THAT!! HE AGREED WITH ME about everything and showed me his gun that he wasn’t meant to have!!
The awful part was when i had to go no contact (because his psychopath mate tried to hurt me emotionally because he was jealous of our friendship) . It was difficult.
But i did it and came out (so far) unscathed.
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Monday, 17 August 2009 @ 5:42am
Tilly says:
Could you please confirm the following for me?
1. WHAT are the “purple” pills?
2. Is there such a thing as bipolar who never goes down? (only “normal” and manic)?
3.Is this man a sociopath?
4. Is he also bipolar, or is it just the pills making him manic?
5.Is this man a bi-polar psychopath?
6. Is this man just bi-polar only?
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Monday, 17 August 2009 @ 5:45am
Tilly says:
I>E> “FRIENDSHIP” in inverted comas.
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Monday, 17 August 2009 @ 5:47am
Tilly says:
He displayed all the behaviours of a psychopath and of being manic. He said that we shared a “special bond” because we were the same. He “joked”: “you are my pseudo fiance”. I read that as trying to suck me in so that later he could devalue and discard me. What do you think? Am I being paranoid?
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Monday, 17 August 2009 @ 5:50am
Tilly says:
I am only interested in all of this data as information to empower me in the future. There seems to be a lot of people over the last five years who proudly claim to be “bi-polar”…almost like it is fashionable. And “bi-polar” is very much an excuse for all types of illegal behaviour.
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Monday, 17 August 2009 @ 5:54am
geminigirl says:
Tilly, dearest, WHY oh WHY are you hanging out with total jerks like these two you mentioned?Do you feel the need for excitement and drama in your life? You are much better off, believe me,to go totally NC, with ALL of them, Period. Dont second guess yourself.I assume you ar not a masochist, so why are you even wasting time with these scum and low-lives? You are playing with fire, one of these creeps could hurt or kill you.If you play mind games with these low lives,YOU may get burned.It DOESNT MATTER if they ar narcs, Sociopaths, Bi-polars, or just your average crazy,-YOU NEED THEM LIKE A DOSE OF LEPROSY OR THE CLAP!!RUnRun Run from all of them.You say you came out unscathed, [so far}, you are playing with fire, why are you doing this?You cant reason with these people, they CANT be your friends, they dont know how to be a friend.Gem.X
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Monday, 17 August 2009 @ 8:43am
OxDrover says:
Dear Tilly,
First off, I am confused about why you were “recently” (how recently?) “playing” this guy for “business reasons.”
It is also my understanding that gun ownership is prohibited in OZ so this must also mean he is a criminal.
Tilly, my dear, I am going to say this: NO MATTER WHAT gain you might get from any “business deal” with a psychoopath it is UNWISE TO EVER INTERACT WITH THEM…..”playing” them is like playing with a poison snake! Pretending to be just like them (especially the criminal ones with guns) is a good way to get yourself killed, which apparently they have threatened to do recently.
Tilly, in order to keep ourselves safe, and to use our good LF knowledge of what these people are capabale of for our benefit, pseudo-bonding with these people for a little “business deal” (or even a big one) is UNWISE to the LIMIT. Tilly, I’m not even inclined to “boink” you, I am STUNNED at you “playing with fire” like this. You have been through so much, WHY ARE YOU GOING BACK INTO THE BURNING BUILDING? What in that building is so exciting or valuable that you would do such a thing?
My personal opinion is that you need to take a good sit down and see what you got (outside of a “good deal”) in doing this dangerous thing. It sounds like it was “exciting” all right, is it the excitement you got from conning the con? I can definitely see why your son was frustrated with you dealing with these people. Tilly, you know I have great affection for you and that I pray for you, but keep in mind that “God helps those who help themselves.” God in my opinion can’t stop us froom destroying ourselves if we are determined to do so, and deliberately dealing with and trying to con a con is one of those SELF DESTRUCTIVE things.
I realize what I am saying may be hurtful to you, Tilly, and you know that my purpose is NOT to hurt you, but give you a heads up in what YOU are doing to expose yourself to this kind of person. You have to get through the class with the teacher for your own long term benefit, but dealing with criminals or people who exibit any signs of Psychopathy is TOTALLY NOT GOOD JUDGMENT OR WISE. (((Hugs)) and I always pray fo ryou.
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Monday, 17 August 2009 @ 8:44am