The subject of the overlap between bipolar disorder and sociopathy is important to me personally and professionally. One of the reasons I did not understand my husband was that I saw him as a “bit on the manic side.” In some of the letters he sent me from prison, he declared himself to be “bipolar” rather than psychopathic/sociopathic. My experience is not unique, in our survey of Women Who Love Psychopaths, Sandra L. Brown, M.A. and I asked about manic symptoms in male partners. Over half of the women attested to the presence of these symptoms in their men.
I first wrote about the connection between bipolar disorder and sociopathy in March, 2007. For more background please read ASK Dr. LEEDOM: What is the difference between bipolar disorder and sociopathy?
There is a link between bipolar disorder and sociopathy that has been explored in a very important recent study. Two researchers from the University of Toronto, Dr. Benjamin Goldstein and Dr. Anthony Levitt looked at data from more than 1000 patients with bipolar disorder ((Am J Psychiatry 2006; 163:1633—1636). They divided them into three groups, childhood onset (prior to 13), adolescent onset and adult onset. They then looked at the prevalence of sociopathy in the three groups. Bipolar disorder was associated with sociopathy in 37 percent of childhood onset cases, 30 percent of adolescent onset cases and 16 percent of adult onset cases. It should be noted that these percentages are all much higher than the estimated prevalence of sociopathy in the general population (4%). I did find research from another group in Britain essentially verifying these results.
The above results suggest that the manic mood problems that are associated with bipolar disorder interfere with personality development. The earlier the manic mood problems start, the more personality is affected. I have had the privilege of teaching child adolescent and adult development many times now. It is well established that our personalities do not stop developing at 18 that is why mood problems at any age can affect personality.
Why would a manic mood be associated with the development of sociopathy? Next week I will explore this notion further reporting on a study of fearless temperament in children. This week though I would like to point out that when many people are manic, they become preoccupied with power and dominance. It is very common for manic patients to believe they are some powerful political or religious leader. One group of animal researchers has put together some convincing arguments that dominance in rats can be used as an animal model to test medications for mania. So mania and dominance motivation have the same biologic correlates.
Although a sense of wanting to accomplish tasks and become independent are important for adults and children, excessive dominance can impair a person’s ability to love. Since children are in the process of learning to love, a preoccupation with dominance can poison all their social interactions. A dominant child that frequently misbehaves becomes a target for discipline by all the adults in his/her life. Although discipline may be necessary, excessive discipline prevents the child from enjoying loving interactions with his parents and teachers. If a child does not learn to enjoy love, he/she will likely not incorporate loving behaviors into his/her personality. Without loving behaviors there is nothing to prevent exploitation of others.
All of this leads me to say that temperamentally and genetically at risk children need specialized focused, loving parenting. At risk children include the offspring of parents with bipolar disorder, sociopathy/psychopathy, addiction, alcoholism and ADHD. If you are a parent of an at risk child, I encourage you to visit Parenting the at-risk child and consider joining the new Forum. This Forum is operated by the Aftermath group, which is a joint collaboration between victims and researchers. I would like to see parents supporting each other through the very difficult task of preventing sociopathy in at risk kids. Although many children will develop disordered in spite of the best parenting and professional help available, there is much indirect evidence that parenting can make a difference for some. More on genetics and temperament next week.
ADDENDUM: The afternoon after I wrote this news organizations broke the story of Peter Dawson who was sentensed to prison for a scheme that defrauded seniors out of their life savings. Dawson is quoted as to saying he has “bipolar disorder.” District Attorney Kathleen Rice stated “Mr. Dawson preyed on his clients, many of them elderly, in order to line his own pockets, and he abused his position of trust to satisfy his own lifestyle,” -Mr. Dawson may have bipolar disorder but he is also described as a predator by Ms. Rice.
Dr. Leedom,
I too saw this dynamic in my relationship. I was unfamiliar with what I was witnessing, so I wasn’t sure how to label the behavior I saw. This man acknowledged a problem, but I believe now that was only to elicit sympathy and/or to lend an excuse to his behavior. However, I started researching and he and I did discuss his symptoms being similar to a bi-polar disorder. Only after we ended did I eventually see the more probable connection to sociopathy, once I discovered the extent of his deceit.
This man is 55 years old and has an adult daughter in her late 30’s and he has an 8-year-old son (different mother). His daughter seemed well adjusted and is a kind and caring woman. I asked her how she turned out so well once, after I’d witnessed episodes of excess anger and selfishness in her father, and she told me because she was raised by her mother with little initial involvement with her father, though she is aware she is the only family her father now has to fall back on and there is now continual involvement as she usually provides support when her father has visitation with her young step-brother. But she never expressed an understanding of her father’s behavior, only that she is aware of some problems he displays with his anger and some womanizing that he doesn’t hide from his son. And I assume she knows his criminal history of thefts (he concealed from me), though I’m certain he has provided “excuses” for them.
This man’s son is a completely different story, even though his parents were married less than a year. However, in this case every other weekend visitation was usually exercised. I saw that this child already shows no respect for authority, is a little bully with other children, and I caught him trying to steal a minor object one time when he, his father, and I were in a store. Cruel treatment of a dog that I suspected. was also a concern of mine.
My relationship with this man ended over a year ago, but this situation continues to nag at me, not believing this child’s mother or his step-sister are aware as I wasn’t (certainly his father isn’t) of the depth or of the type of pathology possibly existing. I saw this child’s behavior excused away instead as a positive, in promoting him as being “gifted” and as having a strong personality and “leadership” qualities. I disagreed, but never voiced my opinion, other than in getting to the bottom of problems jointly with his father that occurred in my company.
I have and think it’s best to continue no contact (limited contact is more accurate as has been necessary) with any of them, especially because there is a question of more illegal behavior with the father that he holds me accountable for exposing. But I often question if nothing is what I should do, if I am doing the right thing by simply walking away and closing my eyes. I think it’s the right thing to do, as it is not my reponsibility nor would it be well received, and I can hope professionals through school will eventually recognize any signs. I saw no signs of physical abuse. But in the interest of a child and because of the confusion that surrounds this behavior, I’d welcome others’ feedback as it would possibly make this easier for me to accept with concurrence.
Benz
Hmmm
That’s hard. Perhaps send something to the adult daughter. Or the ex-wife. Just a book. Do it anonymously.
I have experience in this area. I do not know if any good will come of it- but I tried.
I do feel sad for a child “parented” by these monsters.
Benz-I think walking away is my right answer. Maybe yours is different.
When I first saw my counselor and told her my traumatic story, her first question was “Is he bi-polar?” I really had to stop and think about it. Not being a psychologist, I didn’t know the answer right away. It really did seem that when the proverbial “psychopathic mask” was taken off, that it could have indeed been a manic episode. I have never seen him act that way before.
The counselor and I stuck with sociopath though, because of his non-manic symptoms. He said mean things to me when non-manic. He compared me unfavorably to mutiple other women non-manic. He was power obsessed all the time. Our first conversation was about power in relationships. (If only I knew then what I know now). He viewed me as a possession. Once he said referring to me, “this is mine, this is mine.” It was the possession, not the emotion, that he was enjoying. And he had a really flat affect all the time. It was like looking in the eyes of a medicated schizophrenic. Really flat.
Sociopaths have manic phases. I thought so, but I didn’t know for sure until reading this article.
The Trojan HOrse Psychopath is a diagnosed bi-polar and also was professionally diagnosed as Anti-Social Personality Disorder. He did stay on his bi-polar medication and seemed to me that he didn’t experience any manic episodes that I observed, but–who knows?
I have known other people with bi-polar who also were psychopathic and it is sometimes hard to determine what is bi-polar behavior and what is psychopathic. Sometimes I have observed that the psychopathic type behaviors seem to cease if the mania is well controled. Unfortunately, with psychiatriac illnesses you can’t measure them like you can a fever or a blood test.
I’m hyperactive, have been since infantancy, I have a son who is ADHD–I also have depression, and when I am depressed I slow down which makes my “normal” energizer bunny activities appear manic by comparison, and this has been explored by my psychiatrist and it appears that I am not bi-polar at all, just an odd combination of hyperactivity and now, depression, but the depression responds well to medication and though I am on a low dose, I will probably always have to take some antidepressants.
Giving antidepressant medications alone many times will throw a person who is bi-polar into a mania. Some patients actually like the manic episodes as they have so much energy and feel like they can tackle the world and win. They don’t generally “enjoy” the depressions as much though. Watching an untreated bi-polar cycle can be an eye-opening experience. Of course there are “levels” of bi-polar just like there are levels of anything from “small” to “huge” problems.
I can definitely see that there is a connection there between bi-polar and psychopathic personality disorder. I’d like to be around in 100years when medicine figures all this out.
OXY I called my doctor today and he perscribed ZOLOFT, will take it six months then taper off completly, because I think my current depression is situational, if a pill will help I am willing to try it. I still would rather take one big injection and wake up the next morning like the ole ME. Or have a blood tranfusion that would filter out all the toxin’s. Somebody posted earlier that it felt like a IV steady drip of emotional toxin. I relate to that. and I got a HIV test, I am negative, but due to his reckless behavior I am going to be checked every 3 months.
Dear Henry,
It will take some time for the Zoloft to kick in, so give it time and if it helps, don’t be in toooo big a hurry to taper off, just see how things go.
I am glad that you are getting tested for HIV, you might also get checked for Hep B and C as well. I used to teach a sex ed class for a college and I loved to shine the kids on with my “one liners”—my favorite one was “What’s the difference between Herpes and true love”? HERPES IS FOREVER!
The other favorite was “what do they call folks who use condoms for birth control?” PARENTS!!!
One year at Halloween I dressed up like “death” with a sythe and a long black hooded cloak and did a program for a boys’ dorm called “scary sex” it was a real hit! That same year at EAster I dressed up like the easter bunny and went skipping across campus with a basket full of multi-colored condoms!
The kids thought I was a hoot but they listened! For my sex ed tapes I got some WWII black and white Army tapes about VD that were really fun, and they WANTED to watch them because they thought it was so cool to see the old army films, but the information hadn’t changed any, the diseases are the same.
You know that is another thing they do to us is PUT OUR LIVES AT RISK with going with every other person in the world. It isn’t just emotional risk but risks of our LIVES. Dodged a bullet’s BF KNEW HE WAS HIV POSITIVE and lied. Thank God she didn’t get it, but you know, he could have cared less if she had.
The promiscity is the thing that makes STDS so dangerous and the poor innocent partner at home has no idea that they are being exposed to DEATH!
To me, sex is a bonding ritual between two people who LOVE each other, not a “sport” of how many different people you can get to have sex with you, but the Ps don’t seem to understand that. It’s like a twisted numbers game with them.
I’m glad you are taking care of yourself, Henry, that’s what we have to do to heal!
OXY you sound like HOOT……you deserve all the happines and peace that can come your way LOVE YA
Yes I am taking care of my self, just like everyone else here. I am at that point where I have to stop looking for answers and just move on. I have had 4 appt.s with the theripist, she seem’s so unemotional and doesnt have a clue what I am talking about. I am teaching her more than she is helping me. Can you believe she told me she was an Atheist and I should read the book The God Dellusion, to each his own but, where does one get compassion and caring and hope if not in the belief of a creator. I am not religous, but spiritual yes. I don’t conform to any particular organized religion. My daughter-in-law who I refer to as (sister christian overtime) is raising my two grandson’s in the church, I think that is fine, but I find her narrow minded and somewhat brainwashed. But I wouldnt trade her for the world. She is a spectacular mother and wife to my son. I was raised off and on in the Jehova’s Witness faith I refer to it as a cult. But that prolly adds to my dysfuntional upbringing. Was tormented and ridiculed as a child for not saluting the flag or participating in holdidays etc. That was so much drama, all because of my (N) mother, no one should subject their child to such thing’s. Not untill the child is old enuff to make his choice in how he/she wants to believe or not. Then add to that, know that you are gay and doing everything possible to prevent anyone from knowing. Full of quilt and shame and even more confusion. Oh gosh the list could just go on and on. I sound pitifull I know. But realizing how I have been manipulated, and controlled my whole frikkin life. sheez i shouldnt post this, nobody need to respond.
Henry, posting what is bothering you is what this blog is all about—haven’t you gotten that yet!>??? Ha ha
I have a problem with your therapist a) not getting it, and B) trying to get you to become an atheist. I don’t really think that it is appropriate for a therapist to try to foist their religion or non-religion onto a patient unless the patient is going there for religious counseling. I’m with you as far as “where do you get compassion and caring and hope if not in a creator”? But to each their own, I won’t try to convert her but I don’t want to listen to her either.
And, Nah, you don’t sound “pitifull” at all, just mixed up like the rest of us and trying to recover.
And, yea, I have been called a “hoot” by several people, and I guess that is part of my charm! When I “grow up” I want to be Maxine–the cranky old lady cartoon character who hates house work and everyone and every thing! ha ha I wear reading glasses (can’t see up close but I can read the VINnumber on a gnat at 100 paces) and the Dollar store has these really cool reading glasses with the 50s look, plastic and all kinds of sequins and stuff for $1 a pair so I buy 10 pair at a time and always have a different look. I figure since I’m not young and sexy any more, I will be old and outlandish! If anyone can get away with it I can. LOL
It was a good day today, I got my X-DIL to meet me at the bank and we cashed the IRS refund checks for her and my son C and this is the last time I will ever have to lay eyes on her lying face. DONE. OVER. GOT’R’DONE! Whoopie!!!! She drove off with her new BF, who really is a STEP DOWN from the Trojan Horse-P except this one isn’t in jail–yet at least. Or maybe he has been, who knows. She’s out of our lives and that’s all that matters right now! Whooopie!
Congratulations Ox D and Henry…blog away.
I think we – and future readers – can relate to the various stages we all go through, the back-and-forth, the clarity and the confusion, the strength and the weakness, the joy and the sadness, the conviction and the frustration.
Reading posts like the one you just wrote will surely reassure someone along the way that they’re not crazy, just on the same path to recovery.