A person does not commit crimes with bipolar disorder. They can commit crimes with bipolar if they have a comorbidity of any psychotic disorder. It is a complex mental health illness. It affects a client’s judgment, impulse control, and emotional regulation.
Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depressive episodes. It is an episodic disorder consisting of Mania or depression. In these episodes, a person shifts mood and energy in many forms. If a person experiences at least one manic episode, he can label as bipolar.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
To check the link between criminals with bipolar disorder, you should be aware of the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Here are the most common signs of bipolar listed.
Manic Phase
Here is the list of manic symptoms.
- The person feels restlessness
- Remains irritable behaviour over time
- Need help to concentrate on anything
- Flight of ideas
- They talk very fastly
- It very easily distracts them
- Psychomotor aggitation
- High energy toward the goal
- Feeling of guilt
- Unable to memorise the previous things
- They have an unusual sex drive
- Their mood changes several times a day
- Unusual talk shows abnormal behaviour
- Such clients feel happy most of the day
- Needed to take a long nap due to my high energy
- These people have poor judgment
Depressive Phase
A depressive person should have listed symptoms for two weeks.
- A person feels sadness and hopelessness most of the time.
- The client remains Low mood almost all the time.
- They may oversleep or find it hard to sleep.
- Think about self-harm and suicide attempts.
- Lack of interest in society and any activity.
- Loss or gain unusual weight.
- Unable to focus.
- Difficulty in making a decision.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
There are two types of bipolar disorder:
- Bipolar I
- Bipolar II
Difference Between Bipolar Disorder Type 1 and 2
Bipolar 1 |
Bipolar 2 |
| It is more sever named Mania. | Less severe is named Hypomania. |
| A least one episode of Mania remains more than one week. | Symptoms of mild mania as Hypomania remains for at least four days. |
| Indication of psychotic symptoms | Not indicate the psychotic symptoms |
| Several high-intensive mood shifts | Mild and less intensive mood elevation |
| Electroconvulsive therapy apply first for the treatment | Start the treatment with psychotherapy |
Criminals with Bipolar Disorder
A person with bipolar disorder may also suffer from substance abuse or personality disorders. It can cause criminal behaviour.
Studies prove a 2% and 7% prevalence rate between crime and bipolar disorder. Indeed bipolar clients are more talkative and enjoy the discussion.
Here is some common reason why a bipolar person acts a crime with bipolar disorder.
- Poor impulse control
- Marked irritable mood
- High level of energy
- Comorbid with drugs abuse
- Comorbidity with other psychotic disorders.
Researches About Crimes and Bipolar Disorder
Here are two studies to check the link between crime and bipolar disorder.
Researchers conducted a study in January 2015. It determines the link between Bipolar disorder and criminal justice. They get the result that violent criminal acts frequency is higher than the general population. ( Fovet. T, Goffory,P.A, Vaiva.Guillaume; et al.)
On September 10, 2010. A longitudinal study examined the relationship between bipolar disorder and violent crime. It started in 1973 and ended in 2004. They measure homicide, assault, robbery, arson, sexual offence, illegal threats and intimidation.
The study found no evidence that bipolar disorder is more violent. Their risk ratio of crime is 2 to 9. They also conclude that substance abuse comorbid with bipolar leads to criminal acts. (Fazel.S, Lichtenstein.p, Martin. G; et al.)
Most Effective Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
It’s challenging to deal with a bipolar person. Just read the article because it may help to teach you coping strategies.
Before starting therapy, you should follow these statements.
- Try to remain calm and avoid confrontation.
- Remove any weapon or harmful object.
- Provide Emotional support.
- If you don’t know how to react to a bipolar person, you listen to them.
Medication
Treatment starts with medication because a Bipolar client hardly understands your counselling sessions. After some appointments, they will be able to understand your discussion. Then it would help if you encouraged them to psychotherapy.
There are the most common mood stabilisers
- Lithium
- Anticonvulsant
- Antipsychotic
A person diagnosed with bipolar needs long-medicated treatment. If you feel better during the medication, you should not discontinue therapy. Skiping the psychotherapy means you can face full-blown Mania or depression.
Psychotherapy
The most basic treatment of bipolar is psychotherapy. If you take medicine and don’t take therapy, your concepts and symptoms become a part of your personality. The following therapy helps in the treatment of crime and bipolar disorder.
Cognitive Behavior therapy (CBT)
In Cognitive Behavior therapy (CBT) we look at:
- Find out the unhealthy or harmful thinking and beliefs.
- Fill out the “monitoring chart” to check the client’s activities.
- Use practical techniques to maintain their life.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, you should educate the spouse, parents and family. Before starting the therapy, educate them about treatment. Also, educate them during therapy as well.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
It is a skill base approach. You teach the client mindfulness and acceptance skills. It creates the ability to experience emotions and sensations without negative judgment. It builds the behaviour to tolerate distress and regulate your emotions.
Most Famous Celebrities with Bipolar Disorder
Here is the list of the celebrities. They face bipolar disorder during their career life.
- Mariah Carey
- Bebe Rexha
- Mel GibsonDemi Lovato
- Russell Brand
- Brian Wilson
- Kurt Cobain
- Jimi Hendrix
- Ernest Hemingway
- Ted Turner
- Catherine Zeta-Jone
- Vivien Leigh
- Frank Sinatra
- Carries Fisher
Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs)
People may not know about some important facts about crime with bipolar disorder. Read the faqs for more knowledge.
What is the primary difference between Bipolar I and II?
Bipolar clients have at least 1 episode of Maina, but in 2, they do not.
What skills help to deal with bipolar disorder?
These three skills help you for the coping with bipolar disorder.
- Perspective
- Vision
- Presence
What jobs for bipolar people make their life busy?
These jobs may make their life busy.
- They can be a library.
- Gardening invests their energy.
- Yoga remains them calm.
- Meditation helps to relax them.
- They can be a good researcher.
