⚡ Quick Summary
This study utilized Natural Language Processing (NLP) to create the Hypersexuality in Bipolar Reddit Corpus (HiB-RC), analyzing posts from individuals with bipolar disorder discussing hypersexuality. The findings revealed a significant increase in related posts and highlighted the need for better recognition and understanding of hypersexuality as a symptom of bipolar disorder.
🔍 Key Details
- 📊 Dataset: 6,679,485 posts from 5,177 Redditors (TABoRC) and 2,146 posts from 816 Redditors (HiB-RC)
- 🧩 Features used: Natural language processing techniques to filter and categorize posts
- ⚙️ Technology: Computational linguistic methods, including Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count and BERTopic
- 🏆 Performance: 91.65% average yearly increase in HiB-RC posts from 2012 to 2021
🔑 Key Takeaways
- 📈 Hypersexuality discussions among individuals with bipolar disorder are on the rise.
- 💡 NLP techniques were effectively used to identify and categorize relevant Reddit posts.
- 📊 Significant increase in hypersexuality-related posts (91.65% yearly) compared to general bipolar discussions (48.14%).
- 🧠 Key psychological domains identified include negative tone and increased discussion of sex.
- 🔍 Ethical considerations were discussed regarding the analysis of online conversations.
- 🌐 The study provides a foundation for further research into hypersexuality in bipolar disorder.
- 📚 The HiB-RC serves as a valuable resource for understanding lived experiences of hypersexuality.
📚 Background
Bipolar disorder affects at least 2% of the global population and is characterized by extreme mood swings, including episodes of mania and hypomania. During these elevated mood states, individuals may engage in risk-taking behaviors, including hypersexuality. Unfortunately, hypersexuality has been historically stigmatized, making it challenging for individuals to discuss their experiences openly. This study aims to bridge the gap in understanding hypersexuality within the context of bipolar disorder.
🗒️ Study
The research focused on developing methodologies to identify posts related to hypersexuality on Reddit from users who self-reported a bipolar diagnosis. By employing natural language processing techniques, the study created the Talking About Bipolar on Reddit Corpus (TABoRC) and subsequently the Hypersexuality in Bipolar Reddit Corpus (HiB-RC). This innovative approach allows for a systematic examination of how hypersexuality is discussed in online communities.
📈 Results
The analysis revealed that between 2012 and 2021, the HiB-RC experienced a remarkable 91.65% average yearly increase in posts, significantly outpacing the 48.14% increase in the general bipolar corpus. Additionally, the study identified key psychological domains that were significantly different in the HiB-RC, including a more negative tone and a greater focus on sexual topics compared to general discussions about bipolar disorder.
🌍 Impact and Implications
The findings of this study underscore the importance of recognizing hypersexuality as a critical symptom of bipolar disorder. By utilizing computational linguistic frameworks, researchers can gain valuable insights into the lived experiences of individuals with bipolar disorder. This research not only contributes to the academic understanding of hypersexuality but also has practical implications for developing better treatment and support strategies for affected individuals.
🔮 Conclusion
This study highlights the potential of natural language processing in understanding complex mental health issues like hypersexuality in bipolar disorder. By analyzing online discussions, we can gain a deeper understanding of this often-stigmatized symptom, paving the way for improved recognition and treatment. Continued research in this area is essential for enhancing the support provided to individuals navigating these challenges.
💬 Your comments
What are your thoughts on the findings of this study? How do you think we can better support individuals with bipolar disorder experiencing hypersexuality? 💬 Join the conversation in the comments below or connect with us on social media:
Using Natural Language Processing Methods to Build the Hypersexuality in Bipolar Reddit Corpus: Infodemiology Study of Reddit.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Bipolar is a severe mental health condition affecting at least 2% of the global population, with clinical observations suggesting that individuals experiencing elevated mood states, such as mania or hypomania, may have an increased propensity for engaging in risk-taking behaviors, including hypersexuality. Hypersexuality has historically been stigmatized in society and in health care provision, which makes it more difficult for service users to talk about their behaviors. There is a need for greater understanding of hypersexuality to develop better evidence-based treatment, support, and training for health professionals.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop and assess effective methodologies for identifying posts on Reddit related to hypersexuality posted by people with a self-reported bipolar diagnosis. Using natural language processing techniques, this research presents a specialized dataset, the Talking About Bipolar on Reddit Corpus (TABoRC). We used various computational tools to filter and categorize posts that mentioned hypersexuality, forming the Hypersexuality in Bipolar Reddit Corpus (HiB-RC). This paper introduces a novel methodology for detecting hypersexuality-related conversations on Reddit and offers both methodological insights and preliminary findings, laying the groundwork for further research in this emerging field.
METHODS: A toolbox of computational linguistic methods was used to create the corpora and infer demographic variables for the Redditors in the dataset. The key psychological domains in the corpus were measured using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count, and a topic model was built using BERTopic to identify salient language clusters. This paper also discusses ethical considerations associated with this type of analysis.
RESULTS: The TABoRC is a corpus of 6,679,485 posts from 5177 Redditors, and the HiB-RC is a corpus totaling 2146 posts from 816 Redditors. The results demonstrate that, between 2012 and 2021, there was a 91.65% average yearly increase in posts in the HiB-RC (SD 119.6%) compared to 48.14% in the TABoRC (SD 51.2%) and an 86.97% average yearly increase in users (SD 93.8%) compared to 27.17% in the TABoRC (SD 38.7%). These statistics suggest that there was an increase in posting activity related to hypersexuality that exceeded the increase in general Reddit use over the same period. Several key psychological domains were identified as significant in the HiB-RC (P<.001), including more negative tone, more discussion of sex, and less discussion of wellness compared to the TABoRC. Finally, BERTopic was used to identify 9 key topics from the dataset.
CONCLUSIONS: Hypersexuality is an important symptom that is discussed by people with bipolar on Reddit and needs to be systematically recognized as a symptom of this illness. This research demonstrates the utility of a computational linguistic framework and offers a high-level overview of hypersexuality in bipolar, providing empirical evidence that paves the way for a deeper understanding of hypersexuality from a lived experience perspective.
Author: [‘Harvey D’, ‘Rayson P’, ‘Lobban F’, ‘Palmier-Claus J’, ‘Dolman C’, ‘Chataigné A’, ‘Jones S’]
Journal: JMIR Infodemiology
Citation: Harvey D, et al. Using Natural Language Processing Methods to Build the Hypersexuality in Bipolar Reddit Corpus: Infodemiology Study of Reddit. Using Natural Language Processing Methods to Build the Hypersexuality in Bipolar Reddit Corpus: Infodemiology Study of Reddit. 2025; 5:e65632. doi: 10.2196/65632