Expert: Ivan Goldberg, M.D. - 4/2/2010

Question
Hi, I have a friend who's girlfriend had been caught stealing at a store and was grabbed. She has bipolar disorder and shortly after she was grabbed she started punching and kicking the store workers. She turned and asked my friend what she should do. He told her to stop that(he had no idea she had stolen something so it was a big shocker to him)and to go with the workers. After he had told her to stop punching and kicking them she continued on physically hurting them. Is this her bipolar acting up? If so, how can this be treated so she doesn't physically hurt someone again?

Answer
Hi, Nicole . . .

People with bipolar disorder frequently have major problems controlling their impulses regarding anger, sex, stealing, substance abuse, driving too fast etc. The impulsivity often gets them in trouble and sometimes gets them killed as when threatening violence to the police.

Controlling the impulsivity, similar to controlling the other manifestations of bipolar disorder requires a combination of psychopharmacologic treatment + psychotherapy.

Best regards . . .

Ivan
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