Is there a link between bipolar disorder and creativity? I've read articles suggesting there might be. I don't have the answer necessarily, but I do have my personal experience. I wonder if the person who has bipolar was creative before going into a manic episode, or if the illness draws it out of them to be creative. I suppose you have to define what being creative means to you. I would say it is a lot more than just being good at art. Then again, art is a lot of things and takes on many forms. As for me I always liked to draw as a kid, but I don't draw much now as an adult. I don't do much drawing in a manic episode, however I do remember doing some quick sketches on hospital folders. I'm not saying making some rough sketches was art. I do however believe that the way a manic person thinks in an episode, is completely different than a person who isn't manic or bipolar. The constant flow of information and ideas keep pouring in. The way I process these ideas are completely different from others. These racing thoughts pour in so rapidly, my mouth can't keep up with what I want to say. In an episode of mania people such as myself have some unrealistic ideas. However, it's the ideas that make people creative. Our minds work so differently because of the imbalance of chemicals in our brains. I've had the idea of writing a book about my life in a manic episode, but I didn't get far due to not being able to concentrate for long. One time in my first episode, I had so many thoughts that I filled up an entire brand new college notebook...overnight! The thought process is sped up and uncontrollable without medicine. I believe our creativity can be better harnassed while stable. That way we can focus our energy without getting distracted. I've written a book about my life since becoming stable these past couple years. I think our creativity whatever it is, will be much better once we are stable and our bipolar is under control.
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I believe there is a difference between being stable and recovering. I've been challenged as I continue to learn more about bipolar disorder everyday. There is so much information available to us these days, and it is impossible to know it all. However, I strive to learn more and grow. I've been stable for two and a half years now, but I've had a lot of problems. I do prize being stable, but I don't believe it is recovery. I'm learning through bipolar workbooks and certain others that there's more to getting well than just being stable. I want to have my illness under control and I believe this is possible if I get the right help. Yes, there's a difference between having a mental illness that drives you, and having a mental illness that you control. Of course medication is the first step to managing a mental illness, but why then have I had so many symptoms in between my episodes? Why has work been so hard and nearly impossible for me to keep? I don't think I've been given the proper tools to cope with certain situations, and as a result I'm going in circles. I'm not learning from my mistakes because my illness is triggered with various symptoms, and so far I have not been able to react properly. I believe as I continue to learn about different kinds of therapy and develop the right coping skills, this illness will fall under my control. I pray that when I do return to work these problems that will appear, will no longer be as big. I hope I can laugh someday at these problems and I learn to cope with them. We all hear that there's successful, productive people with this illness; I plan to recover fully and be one of them. Bipolar disorder is part of me, but I won't let it define me and be me. I'm gonna own this illness.
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AuthorI was diagnosed bipolar 1 in March of 2005. It's been a challenge to say the least to live with this disorder everyday. There has been some major ups as well as downs. It's just something I have to deal with. Everyone has their own problems and struggles to sort out and this is just one of mine. I'm not asking for anybody to feel sorry for me. I just want to educate those who don't know much about it, and if it helps out somebody along the way even better. Archives
May 2017
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