Local Facility Investigates Bipolar and Narcissism

Houston, TX - SUN Behavioral Health Houston recently published a blog on co-occurring bipolar disorder and narcissism. Both disorders are treatable and can be present because of genetics or environmental factors. Those factors can include childhood trauma or stressful events such as rejection or neglect. Both disorders also exhibit impulsive tendencies that overlook safety. Grandiosity is especially common during mania, which is similar to narcissistic disorders. Depression can also be a common symptom between the two disorders.

“Bipolar disorder has an up-and-down motion of highs and lows. Those with bipolar will spend time in episodes of mania with high emotions, increased interest in things and importance, and fast thoughts followed by low depression with feelings of hopelessness, restlessness, and inability to do simple tasks. Meanwhile, narcissism tends to be more consistent in their emotions and is not characterized by episodes. Narcissistic personality disorders can sometimes be caused by excessive praise or overindulgence towards children,” the blog post states.

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that has shifts in someone’s mood, concentration, and activity. There are three main types: bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, and cyclothymic disorder. These types come in different levels of severity. Bipolar I disorder experiences the most severe symptoms of bipolar disorder, while cyclothymic disorder experiences the least intense levels of symptoms. Dating with bipolar disorder can be complicated, but open conversations and an understanding of symptoms can be vital to a successful relationship. These symptoms include mania symptoms of racing thoughts, feeling important, and talking fast about different things, and symptoms of depression, which include feelings of sadness, speaking slowly, and feeling worthless.

People with narcissistic personality disorder have a strong need for admiration and lack empathy for other people. They have a preoccupation with brilliance, beauty, and success. Some might take advantage of others, while others will only associate with people in higher positions of power. They can become easily envious of others or have a sense of entitlement. Ongoing therapy can help people manage their symptoms as no medications have been FDA-approved to treat narcissistic personality disorder. However, physicians might prescribe mood stabilizers to help with symptoms.

However, sometimes, the two can exist simultaneously in the same person. It can be challenging to know if they both exist if someone is experiencing a manic episode since manic episodes and narcissistic traits can be similar to each other. However, when someone with both dips into a depressive episode, narcissistic personality disorder can be more evident. Feelings of importance and ambition will remain even if they are experiencing depression symptoms on top of it. Proper treatment and therapy allow people to recover from both successfully.

“Often, narcissism is misdiagnosed as mania associated with bipolar disorder. Physicians will often treat bipolar disorder first, believing that the symptoms of narcissism are related to bipolar disorder. However, when the symptoms of narcissism remain during the treatment of mania, it can be a sign that narcissism also exists, leading to misdiagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder. Also, people with narcissism are less likely to seek treatment because they believe they do not need it,” the blog post continues.

SUN Behavioral Health Houston solves unmet needs in their community. They do this by offering no-cost care assessments that allow potential patients to meet with a representative before they start their treatment. These assessments have telehealth options. They also provide 24/7 crisis care that helps people get started on their treatment because crises don’t always happen at the most convenient times.

For more information about SUN Behavioral Health Houston, visit their website or call them at 713-796-2273.