6. Active search for pleasurable activities
Patients with bipolar disorder are usually looking for pleasurable activities every time. They usually eat plenty and may sometimes engage in unhealthy and dangerous sexual behaviour. Clinically, we would call this symptom a disturbance in the hedonic experience, which is the active seeking of pleasure. These activities become excessive in the manic state, and some patients may find pleasure in risky activities or intentionally putting themselves in danger.
This behaviour might be related to a reduction in the regulation of behavior by the prefrontal area of the brain, which is usually activated to measure the consequences of actions and to make decisions according to a moral and “safe” pattern.
