“I’ve had to learn to identify which risks are smart and educated and thought-through, and which are the superficial result of hypomania,” says Deby, who has bipolar II. When dealing with bipolar, it’s always good to remember this motto: “Biology is not destiny.” That said, you may need stronger external circuit breakers to help you pause and ponder when your inner voice says “Go for it!”ĭeby of Virginia has wrestled with pinpointing the difference between impulsivity and intuition. On the one hand, that hyperactivity can fuel goal-directed achievement on the other, it increases susceptibility to addiction and intensifies cravings for excitement. In addition, the reward system seems to be more sensitive, so that the lure of a prize wields more power. Studies suggest that the part of the brain that plans and analyzes tends to have a weaker grip on emotional circuitry in people with bipolar-akin to worn brake pads that can’t stop a speeding car in time. There’s also a link between weak impulse control and explosive anger. Relatively minor behaviors associated with impulsivity-including impatience and interrupting when others speak-can alienate those around you. Whether it’s saying whatever comes into your head or deciding to move to Australia right now, the results can be devastating: fractured relationships, lost jobs, staggering debt, compromised health, legal troubles, and on and on. However, a body of research suggests that even in times of stability, lower impulse control is characteristic of individuals with bipolar.īased on emotion rather than logical reasoning, impulsivity is an urge to act without regard for the future. In fact, pursuing risky behaviors that have a high potential for negative outcomes is one of the symptoms used to diagnose hypo/mania. Impulsivity and elevated mood go hand in hand. More often, it can result in troubling and even dangerous consequences, especially when it’s amplified by hypomania or mania. In some situations, the ability to act boldly may be desirable-it’s what entrepreneurs rely on, after all. Who hasn’t acted on a whim without thinking it through or gotten carried away by an exciting idea? Or your boss offers constructive criticism that you take to be more criticizing than constructive, so you say spiteful things about her to coworkers.Įveryone has impulsive tendencies at times. Effective coping tools can keep impulsivity in check and prevent negative fallout.Īfter a colossal fight with your honey, you head out for the night and end up getting too cozy with some random guy at the bar. Recklessness is a common symptom of bipolar disorder-even outside of mania.
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