Is violence more common with bipolar people? Everything I have read says no but I am wondering about if a person is rapid cycling. I have posted before on the addiction boards about my brother. He is bipolar and currently on an antidepressant but not his mood stabilizer (it wiped him out). I also think he is still using drugs and I wonder if that is causing the violence or if its agitation from cycling.

Hey, I think its a little bit of both.

Annadanna,

Yes, violence can be a part of bi-polar. My bpbf has had a number of aggressive outburst and violent acts. However the violent acts were never directed toward me....he may have been verbally agressive to me but his violent acts were always punching walls, breaking doors...things like that. my boyfriend is also a drug addict (cocaine). This definately causes more rapid mood cycles and aggressive/irratable/violent behavior. His pdoc told him that if he is self-medicating with drugs or alcohol that his meds would not work properly to control his mood swings......and he was definately correct about that.

Hope this helps answer your question!

feelinglost-
Your bf sounds like my brother... same drug. How do you help? What do you treat first? I am so scared he will hurt his kids or himself.

I've been a rapid cycler for 30 years. Before mood stabilizers I've always experienced great rage just after my hypomania state. It was always a very short duration and I've never hurt anyone. Unless your friend becomes stabilized he should not be taking an antidepressant. This will make his mood swings much more frequent. If your friend really wants help, he will have to stop the drugs first. Many BPs don't really want help, they like the 'highs' to much.

Ps: It is my opinion, any doctor who prescribes antidepressants before stabilization is a doctor I would drop. K--