Are BiPolar (Manic-Depression, Circular Insanity) or other like illnesses a detriment or a plus in the Arts. Dave KC7WGB
mental health and the arts I agree that it is hard to make a general statement about an indiviudal with a handicapping conditions ability in the arts. The conditions vary greatly from individual to individual just as talents vary from person to person. The support system around a person is also important. I once worked in rehabilitation. I was always surprized at how much some individuals could do, and how little others could do. I think there have been two fairly popular movies about people with diagnosed mental illnes. One starred Corbin Bersen as an artist. The other starred Russell Crowe as a scientist. One of the things you also have to recognize in the USA that substance abuse makes the effects of these conditions worse. All the best!
My perception of bipolar disorders may be skewed because I’ve only met bipolar patients under one circumstance: While responding to 911 calls where the bipolar person is enraged and is ”out of control.” The family members always state, ”Oh, he (or she) is bipolar” as if that is an excuse for their out-of-control rage. The bipolar person will readily admit to this diagnosis also. Anyways, the only time I’ve encountered bipolar people is when they are in the midst of a temper tantrum. Most of you folks have probably met bipolar people under a calm setting where these issues can be peaceably discussed. Mmmmmm, maybe your viewpoint is also skewed (as a result of this)? Personally, I do not think that the bipolar disorder engenders itself to having more creativity than a non-bipolar person. In fact, it could be a detriment.
Bipolar disorder manifests itself in many ways and degrees of intensity and disability and is much more prevalent than was previously believed. There are those with this disorder who are predominantly angry and dysphoric (sad, irritable) while others display hypomanic (lesser exaggerated form of euphoria) behavior or mixed states, with euphria and depression present simultaneously. In fact, there are many individuals around us who have been diagnosed as only being depressed but also have bipolar features. Some have episodic bouts of this disorder which are quite severe, including hallucinations and delusions, while many others have not been hospitalzed and live their lives with varying degrees of impairment in their social or employment lives. There are those whose condition is induced or excerabated by substance abuse. In many cases this condition will not be properly diagnosed by a clinician while the individual is in a depressed state. That is why a very thorough history needs to be completed to determine if the individual has ever experienced the criteria that leads to a diagnosis of this disorder. As previously noted, making generalizations re: individuals with this disorder or any other is not possible. It can be understood that if one is a police officer and only deals with individuals who are acting-out, and alledgedly have this disorder (1.e. were they clearly diagnosed by a licensed mental health professional?) one's views will be colored by their experiences. However, the vast majority of persons with this condition do not engage in criminality, are not "insane", and are contributing members of our society, some on a very high level. Whether or not it is factual that some individuals with this disorder may have a greater level or productivity or creativity, no individual can be neatly categorized and labeled based on a"diagnosis". It is their level of functioning and ability to negotiate their personal and professional lives that is the true litmus test of their success in life as it is for the rest of us.
Re: mental health and the arts So if substance abuse makes the condition worse in the USA, perhaps if people moved to another country things would get better?
"Circular Insanity" from Jean Falret in the late 19th. century. Manic-depression after in the 20th. and Bipolar Disorder in the late 20th. century. I have Bipolar I. I have mixed episodes. I have psychotic symptoms. I took 2000 mg a day of Lithium for a year and did not die. I take a cocktail now and I don't have near the side effect problem I once did. I have been on some sort of drug therapy for eight years, and bipolar for eighteen. Dave KC7WGB
A look at the classic movie "Mr. Jones" starring Richard Gere would be beneficial in understanding some parts of BiPolar disease. And, there is a big difference in being Mentally Ill and Insane.
