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Treatment Guidelines
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Hypersexuality
A high level of interest in sex, talk
about sex, or sexual behavior, esp. that is not typical for children/teens of
that age. Hypersexuality can be a very confusing symptom for both parents and
for doctors/counselors. It is worth noting that this high level of interest
occurs without a child having been exposed to illicit material or actions.
Sometimes doctors/counselors can misinterpret this as a sign of sexual abuse.
(Children who have been sexually abused can also show sexual acting out behavior
that is “beyond their years”.) It should be noted that this symptom occurs in
some adults with bipolar disorder as well.
Hypersexuality does not occur in all children with bipolar disorder and looks
different based upon the age of the child and the severity at the moment of
their disorder. It can include various behaviors such as: a 4yo telling his
mother he wants to kiss her “with their mouths open, like people on TV”, an
elementary school age child making explicit and suggestive remarks to neighbors
or classmates, a young teen propositioning her father or uncle in graphic
language, language that she typically does not use, or a teen who is sexually
promiscuous with multiple partners. This symptom does not occur in isolation.
Hypersexuality from Bipolar does not occur when a child or teen is depressed. If a child or
teen is experiencing hypersexuality, it will occur along with other symptoms of
mania (See the definition of mania for a list of symptoms.) or perhaps as part
of a mixed state. Looking to see if there are a cluster of other symptoms of
bipolar is one way that skilled counselors and doctors can determine if the
sexual acting out behaviors are related to mania or if perhaps something else
has caused them.
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