What is the difference between sociopath and bipolar

Both psychopathy and sociopathy fall under the diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder, Dr. Coulter notes. Those with sociopathy tend to be more erratic and impulsive whereas those with sociopathy are often able to maintain the appearance of stable, normal life.

With psychopathy, the diagnosis is based more on what that person is thinking and how they got to that point. There are no medications specifically for antisocial personality disorders, says Dr. Psychotherapy is often recommended but that can be difficult. It can be particularly tough, Dr. Coulter says, to deal with a friend or family member who has sociopathy because of that lack of self-awareness.

An expert explains the traits of a sociopath, what treatments are available and how to protect yourself if you have a sociopath in your life. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. He displays or exhibits some of the traits of a sociopath, but I read that being manic depressives clouds whether someone is a sociopath.

Suggestions or thoughts? That seems like the cowardly thing to do though. If we approached all people with problems that way, where would our society be? Thank you for writing in with this important question. Many people with bipolar disorder develop exaggerated sociopathic traits while in the manic state. I first learned of this as a psychiatry resident. I had an outpatient I had followed for several months. He was a high functioning kind, compassionate, person.

However, he stopped his medication and was admitted in a manic state. I did not know of his admission until the weekend, while on call, I was called up to an emergency on the inpatient unit.

The emergency was the patient I thought I knew so well. He was agitated, aggressive and behaved in a very manipulative way. He was also disconnected from the treatment bond he had formed with me. He was clearly NOT the same man I had seen the previous month in my office! While sociopaths seem less likely to develop depression, they can show symptoms of mania. Mania is an expansive mood where the person seeks increased involvement in goal directed activities.

Manic people are high energy and sometimes hypersexual. I often thought that my former husband seemed a bit on the manic side. His mind always seemed to be on the go. He liked to talk a lot, especially on the telephone. He was also somewhat arrogant. In fact, experiencing a manic episode is the only requirement for a bipolar I disorder diagnosis. People with bipolar II disorder can experience the symptoms of depressive episodes, but they have hypomania, which is a less severe form of mania.

Manic episodes usually last for at least 7 days , and they can sometimes be so severe that hospitalization is necessary. Depressive episodes often persist for at least 2 weeks. Some people have rapid-cycling bipolar disorder and experience four or more mood episodes within a year.

To diagnose either bipolar disorder or BPD, a mental health professional will ask a person questions about their symptoms, including their severity and duration. A bipolar I diagnosis requires that someone has had at least one classic episode of mania that lasted for at least 7 days or required hospitalization.

People who experience a major depressive episode and an episode of hypomania may receive a diagnosis of bipolar II disorder. In cases where it is challenging to distinguish BPD from bipolar disorder, a doctor may focus on specific symptoms to help differentiate between them. These symptoms include:. It can take some time and patience to find the right treatment plan for both BPD and bipolar disorder.

Medication is not a standard treatment for BPD as its benefit is unclear, and there are no drugs that the U. However, some medications may help manage certain symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, if they are present.

Psychotherapy, which may involve individual talk therapy or group therapy, is the most common treatment for BPD. Therapy can help teach people with BPD how to communicate and interact with others and how to express themselves. Doctors usually recommend a combination of medications, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes to manage bipolar disorder. Some of the treatment options for bipolar disorder include:.

BPD and bipolar disorder have some similar symptoms, but they are very different conditions. BPD is a personality disorder, and bipolar disorder is a mood disorder. BPD can be challenging to treat. Research is ongoing to help develop new strategies to care for people with BPD and improve their quality of life.

It can take time to find the best medication and the right therapist, so it is vital to keep trying.