Bi-Polar Disorder and Creativity?

Question

Hello. If you are BP and creative could you please give me some suggestions why a link appears to exist (though not in all cases of course) between the two. I am trying to gather as much primary research as possible for my dissertation. I would be very grateful and interested to recieve some quite detailed answers if possible. Thankyou for your time.

Answer 1

Read every book written by Kay Redfield Jamison
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002-3025519-0627248?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=kay+jamison

You could mention the plethora of artists, writers and poets who suffered from bipolar disorder.

You could interview living people with bipolar disorder.

Answer 2

The high of the bi-polar is very akin to what is commonly called "inspiration". The word inspiration is derived from the word "spirit" - to be in spirit, in touch with something beyond the earthly realm, to feel joy and exuberation. However, a major difference between general "inspiration" and the high of the bi-polar is that there is a "filter" that is kind of disregarded in the manic state of bi-polar. What I mean by "filter" is things like etiquette, rational thinking, social conduct and so on. This filter is the context that most people act and socialize through. That is why when someone does something rude and you think, "&*%$ you ,creaton" you don't say it. But, a manic might. So, behavior in that state is wild and unpredictable. Probably part of the reason that bi-polars are able to go into the manic state is because there is some sort of a release when one disregards the filter and this would also allow for quite a bit more of the unconventional - let's call it creativity - to be expressed. Boundaries are broken, there is a world of possibilities outside of "the box". There is an incredible amount of energy that is freed with this release as well. No worries, no worldy concerns, no burdens. This state only lasts for so long until the mind forms an opposite and equal reaction to the high - the low. Doubt thoughts creep back into awareness, the burdens and problems of everyday living return and are just a magnified as they were forgotten in the opposite polarity. The person may become fixated on negative thoughts. It's as if the mind that is so attracted to the lightness of the high becomes afraid of it, perhaps afraid of losing all seeming contact with the known world and retreats to darkness in an attempt at self preservation.

Answer 3

I am bipolar. I was Miss Belton Honea Path, wrote all the poems at school for events, was a page for Senator Thurmond in DC, and had excellent grades in college, etc. My conclusion is that the smarter and more creative you are, the more difficult time you have dealing with the ho hum boredom of life. Life is boring to us. This creates depression and then mania. Have you ever seen a mentally challenged person depressed? No. I think we understand too much. The mania does take you so high that you can do outrageous things such as make the highest grade on a test in a huge hard hard college class. You could probably think for days until a great creative idea came to you. I could write a book in 3 days if I had mania.

Answer 4

Weird. I have BP and consider myself artistic--as do others. Also, my father and brother, both whom I suspect of having BP are also very talented.
I never put the two together. I do have to "be in the right mood" to be my most creative. It's just a feeling. I would be interested in any study you do though.
I think it's the ability to close off to the outside world while I concentrate on my work. In my own world so to speak. Good question though.

Answer 5

Hm-mm. interesting that you don't mention why you choose BPD as you primary area of study. Nevertheless, I will tell you the little I know from recently being "tentatively" diagnosed. BPD, used to be called manic-depressive disorder, is identified with "up" and down periods. In my case, when I am up, as I most often am, I am hyper, have racing thoughts, make fast connections with limited information, and am highly detail oriented, among many other extrovert-type behaviors. When I am down I have debilitating depression, making it difficult to function in the outside world and relate to other people. BPD also shares some common factors with other types of depression which can make diagnosis extremely difficult. The medication that can be prescibed can be very to tough to tolerate. Although... To be honest, while I am still very much in the dark about the disorder, but I must say this: I am really REALLY glad that it is not treated by a lobotomy anymore!!!

Answer 6

I've been diagnosed as BP... Currently in my mid twenties, where I work adjacent to the New York Stock Exchange in downtown New York City as a Business Development Manager for a publicly traded company. Never graduated HS or College; I've used my "manic charm" to influence people all my life; especially women; friends, business acquaintences, superiors and even family.

People like us usually "bluff" our way through life. While we provide the energetic spirit, intellectualy facade.... there is no substance behind the mania.

Do your research;

We don't respond well to authority
We think we know everything
We don't work well with others

We are;

Self indulging; narcasistic and intolerable.

I am a sales managers wet dream!

I've been BP all my life; realized it 6 years ago, diagnosed last year.

I know everything about myself, my condition, how I'm perceived, the meds and everything around me.

I've been surrounded by so many professionals who throw their hands up. It's a tremendous condition; thankfully I have great doctors.

Cheers.

Answer 7

well, bub, i can't give you any specifics, but i can tell you this: i am BP (type II), a RAVING lunatic and am currently employed as the Art Director for a nationally operated company. My BP is both an asset and a detriment, one my bosses are fully aware (...they make me take my pills in front of'em so I have no excuse for "wiggin out"and needing to take two weeks off...which they were giving me before...) my lunacy borders on (and frequently makes out with...) GENIUS!
Maybe that's the link...creative genius (left brain?) produces BP...?... or possibly the other way around.
If'n you'd like more specific...specifics...(!?!)...just send me a message and i'll let you pick my brain...careful though, it's probably a trap...

Answer 8

i'm bp and very creative. there is a link cuz we feel more than the average person. we are very compassionate and love to help others. so my passion is poetry, guitar and simply volunteering.

Answer 9

that's easy....some days I have a so called IQ of 140...others 60 ! we use more of our mind at once on our highs than average...other days...can't even put a sentence together !