Bipolar Disorder And Manipulation: Is There A Link? - Psych Central

Maybe your like

Psych CentralSubscribeIs Manipulation a Symptom of Bipolar Disorder?

Medically reviewed by Francis Kuehnle, MSN, RN-BC — Written by Psych Central Staff on April 27, 2022

Manipulation as a symptom
Causes of manipulation
Manipulation in mania
In relationships
Treatment options
How to help a loved one
Let’s recap

Confusion and stigma still surround bipolar disorder. This includes believing that the use of manipulation tactics is a formal symptom.

Living with bipolar disorder can present specific challenges. Mood episodes can shape the way you think about yourself and how you interact with others.

But, does it involve using manipulation tactics?

Distinguishing myth from truth can empower those who live with bipolar disorder and help loved ones offer the support they may need.

Manipulation in bipolar disorder

The use of manipulation tactics isn’t one of the formal symptoms of bipolar disorder, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5).

To date, there’s also no research to suggest that interpersonal manipulation is consistently linked to bipolar disorder.

“While I don’t believe nor support manipulation being linked to bipolar disorder, I can understand why one may think so,” says Lena Suarez-Angelino, a licensed clinical social worker in Woodbridge, New Jersey.

During an episode of mania or depression in bipolar disorder, Suarez-Angelino explains, you may act in certain ways that no longer hold true once the mood has passed. This could sometimes be interpreted by others as a manipulation tactic even when the intention wasn’t there.

In other cases, when someone with bipolar disorder relies on manipulation in their relationships, something else may be going on.

Possible causes of manipulation in someone with bipolar disorder

Everyone can use manipulation tactics from time to time. It doesn’t mean they live with a mental health condition. It doesn’t mean either that, if they do, manipulation is a symptom of said condition. But there are exceptions.

The use of manipulation tactics in someone with bipolar disorder can be the result of:

maladaptive coping skills
signs of a co-occurring mental health condition
trauma

“Manipulative behaviors are consistent with co-occurring disorders, such as personality disorders and substance use disorders,” says Rachel Easterly, a licensed social worker in New York City.

Interpersonal manipulation is a formal symptom of narcissistic personality disorder, for example.

It’s possible that if someone with bipolar disorder relies on manipulation tactics, they’re living with a personality disorder.

In fact, older research suggests that bipolar disorder is linked to cluster B personality disorders, which include antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic personality disorders.

Bipolar disorder can also be confused with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) because some people experiencing episodes of mania can develop signs of grandiosity.

Grandiosity, or grandiose delusion, is a persistent belief that you’re superior or more special than everyone else. It’s a formal symptom of NPD.

A 2011 literature review indicated that as many as two-thirds of people living with bipolar disorder experience signs of grandiosity. Grandiosity may lead someone to use specific manipulation tactics in some instances.

Trauma could also lead some people to use interpersonal manipulation if they learned that openly asking for their needs to be met wasn’t safe. Research shows that many people with bipolar disorder also report experiencing childhood trauma.

Humanizing manipulation

It may help you to think of manipulation as a coping mechanism. While reframing this behavior doesn’t take away from the pain that manipulation may cause, it does help to bring compassion into the conversation. If you feel someone is manipulating you, remember that they’re likely experiencing emotional pain and may need support.

Could manipulation be a result of episodes of mania?

Yes, it could be a sign of mania but not always.

An episode of mania in bipolar disorder looks different for everyone. But, in general, there are a few common signs that a licensed mental health professional will look for in order to make an accurate diagnosis.

Symptoms of mania may include:

being easily distracted
challenges with impulse control
desire to take on more activities
increased self-confidence
talking faster than usual
racing thoughts
reduced need for sleep
pressured or rapid speech
grandiosity

Mania has some overlapping signs with personality disorders, like narcissistic personality disorder or borderline personality disorder, but manipulation isn’t usually chief among them. At least, not intentional manipulation.

“Manipulative behavior requires self-awareness of a situation, desired outcome, and strategies to achieve the outcome,” explains Easterly. “Mania often feels like it’s out of a person’s control, and people frequently act against their self-interest during episodes of mania.”

Mania	Personality disorder (or narcissistic traits)
intermittent symptoms occurring in cycles	fixed pattern of behavior
difficulty with impulse control	difficulty with impulse control
grandiosity, as increased self-esteem, euphoric mood, and big ideas or plans that may later be unrealistic	grandiosity, as seeking validation for achievements, entitlement or feeling superior, and a sense of self-importance
talking more quickly than usual or dominating conversations because of lack of impulse control	manipulating others on purpose during conversations
reduced need for sleep	sleep disturbances or insomnia
high-risk behaviors, like lavish spending, hypersexuality, or substance use	high-risk behaviors, like hypersexuality or substance use
challenges at work, home, school, or in relationships	challenges at work, home, school, or in relationships

Signs of manipulation in relationships

Whether someone receives a diagnosis of bipolar disorder or not, emotional manipulation can sometimes happen in relationships.

“The root cause of manipulative behaviors may be a combination of powerlessness and entitlement,” says Easterly. “A person feels entitled to the outcome they desire, but feel powerless to achieve it through direct means.”

It’s possible someone with bipolar disorder feels and acts this way, but it isn’t because of bipolar disorder.

Emotional manipulation tactics may include:

blame-shifting
comparing you to others
criticism
gaslighting
guilt trips
love bombing
lying
minimizing hurtful behavior
judgment
passive-aggressiveness
silent treatment
stonewalling
triangulation
withholding affection, communication, or gifts

How to address manipulation in bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder can be managed and treated. But, since manipulation isn’t a formal symptom of the condition, the first step may be to explore the root cause of manipulative behaviors.

Only a mental health professional can provide an accurate diagnosis. If it’s determined that other factors are involved, such as a personality disorder, they can structure a plan that allows for coping and treatment of both conditions.

Treatment for bipolar disorder usually includes a combination of talk therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments.

“Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is common for treating bipolar disorder, however, I also believe dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) would be useful in treating bipolar disorder and patterns of manipulation,” says Suarez-Angelino. “DBT helps to learn how to be in control of your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.”

Research shows that dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) can help improve several symptoms associated with bipolar disorder, including mania and emotional regulation.

DBT and CBT are also commonly used in the treatment of personality disorders.

If you feel a loved one is manipulating you

If your loved one lives with bipolar disorder and you feel they’re manipulating you, it’s important to remember that the two factors aren’t formally related.

Their use of manipulation tactics may be a result of learned behavior or a sign that something else is going on.

“Give support to the person that appears to have bipolar disorder with manipulative tendencies,” says Suarez-Angelino. “It is OK to want to feel guarded or have difficulty trusting, but rather than pushing them away, learn how to work together to be a positive part of their support system.”

You may find it useful to:

develop healthy boundaries
disengage or set time limits
respond confidently and stand in your truth
seek out individual therapy or find a support group
take notes to keep track of interactions

If possible, try to encourage your loved one to seek the guidance of a licensed mental health professional if they haven’t already. You could also suggest couple’s therapy or family counseling.

Let’s recap

Manipulation isn’t a formal symptom of bipolar disorder, although some people with the condition may exhibit this behavior.

In some cases, manipulative behavior is a result of living with another mental health condition, such as personality disorders, substance use disorders, or trauma.

Finding the root cause of the manipulative behavior can help in addressing it directly or as part of a more comprehensive treatment plan. In all cases, this symptom can be managed and support is available.

11 sourcescollapsed

Afshari B, et al. (2019). Effects of dialectical behavior therapy on executive functions, emotion regulation, and mindfulness in bipolar disorder.https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10879-019-09442-7
Apfelbaum S, et al. (2013). Comorbidity between bipolar disorder and cluster B personality disorders as indicator of affective dysregulation and clinical severity.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24096392/
Easterly R. (2022) Personal interview.
Eskander N, et al. (2020). The impact of impulsivity and emotional dysregulation on comorbid bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7478747/#:~:text=Our%20study%20results%20showed%20that,PTSD)%2C%20and%20somatoform%20disorders.
Farias CA, et al. (2019). Clinical outcomes and childhood trauma in bipolar disorder: A community sample of young adults.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165178118311053
Jaworksa-Andryszewska PJ, et al. (2019). Childhood trauma in mood disorders: Neurobiological mechanisms and implications for treatment.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S173411401830197X
Knowles R, et al. (2011). Grandiose delusions: A review and theoretical integration of cognitive and affective perspectives.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272735811000481
Patel RS, et al. (2019). Bipolar disorder and comorbid borderline personality disorder: Patient characteristics and outcomes in US hospitals.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6358827/
Provencher T, et al. (2020). Insomnia in personality disorders and substance use disorders.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352250X19301848
Suarez-Angelino L. (2022). Personal interview.
Zimmerman M, et al. (2013). The relationship between borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3811087/

FEEDBACK:

Medically reviewed by Francis Kuehnle, MSN, RN-BC — Written by Psych Central Staff on April 27, 2022

6 Signs Someone Is Manipulating You
Coping with Bipolar Disorder: 5 Self-Help Strategies
7 Behaviors You Should Never Tolerate in Relationships
Bipolar Disorder and Narcissistic Personality: Is There a Link?
What’s the Link Between Bipolar Disorder and Creativity?

Bipolar Disorder And Manipulation: Is There A Link? - Psych Central

Featured

Articles

Wellness Topics

Original Series

News & Events

Podcasts

Conditions

Lifestyle

Treatment & Support

Manipulation in bipolar disorder

Possible causes of manipulation in someone with bipolar disorder

Humanizing manipulation

Could manipulation be a result of episodes of mania?

Signs of manipulation in relationships

How to address manipulation in bipolar disorder

If you feel a loved one is manipulating you

Let’s recap

RELATED

Read this next

Why Do Bipolar People Blame Their Loved Ones For Their Problems?

Being The Target Of My Son's Anger And Blame

Blaming Others For Bipolar Disorder - Natasha Tracy

Bipolar Disorder And Lying: Why This Happens - Healthline

Bipolar Disorder And Anger: Why It Happens And How To Cope

My Bipolar Husband Blames Me For Everything - Beyond Blue Forums

An Unrecognized Symptom Of Bipolar Disorder: Rage

How A Person With Bipolar Disorder Thinks: Fact Vs. Fiction

Bipolar Disorder Signs And Symptoms

Bipolar Disorder And Lying: Is There A Link? - Medical News Today

Anger Issues And Blaming Others - Seasons In Malibu

What You Need To Know About Bipolar Anger And How To Cope

When You're Married To Someone With Bipolar Disorder

Do Bipolar People Blame Others? - EmojiCut

Contact