Mental Illness (Nov 2016)

A case of mania presenting with hypersexual behavior and gender dysphoria that resolved with valproic acid

  • Michelle R. Heare,
  • Maria Barsky,
  • Lawrence R. Faziola

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4081/mi.2016.6546
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 2

Abstract

Read online

Hypersexuality and gender dysphoria have both been described in the literature as symptoms of mania. Hypersexuality is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 as part of the diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder. Gender dysphoria is less often described and its relation to mania remains unclear. This case report describes a young homosexual man presenting in a manic episode with co-morbid amphetamine abuse whose mania was marked by hypersexuality and the new onset desire to be a woman. Both of these symptoms resolved with the addition of valproic acid to antipsychotics. This case report presents the existing literature on hypersexuality and gender dysphoria in mania and describes a treatment option that has not been previously reported.

Keywords