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Creativity and Bi-Polar

"Some researchers argue that there is a significant relationship between creativity and bipolar condition. Although the reasons are yet to be proven, most artists are manic depressive."

Is anyone else here creative or artistic?

I just read this an downwithdepression.net.  I don't know if it is a very accurate source, but I thought it was interesting.  I have been artistic since forever and I am constantly making stuff.  My friends thought I was strange because I would rather stay at home and paint or make a quilt than go out and party in high school.  I was diagnosed with bi-polar last Tuesday.  I am researching stuff like crazy and trying to decide if my diagnosis was accurate.  I do all sorts of arts and crafts including painting, drawing, sewing, jewelry making, engraving, stained glass, fused glass, ceramics, doll making, fimo clay, and who knows what else.  I have bought tools and equipment to do everything but ceramics.  I have done all this and I am 22 years old.  I went to school and became a certified bench jeweler, and a darn good one, but I have had two jobs as a repair jeweler and I got so stressed out at both of them that I quit, even though the environment was great and my bosses loved me.   College education down the drain?  I usually do one thing for a while and then get bored and want to learn something new.  I am trying to not let myself buy an airbrush or a titanium anodizer.  I have spent so much time and money on all this that it ends up feeling like more of a burden than a joy, but I just want to do everything!

I always thought I was just creative, but I think this flip-flopping on what I want to do is one reason why the doc thinks I am bi-polar.  

Another thing I think is interesting is the doc put me on lamictal, which is also used to treat epilepsy.  My mom is epileptic, and has struggled with anxiety and depression.  Is there a connection between epilepsy and bi-polar??

OK, I'll quit rambling, sorry.  Writing in this forum is helping me sort all this out.  Everyone is so helpful and concerned.  I have gotten some wonderfl advice.  
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473760 tn?1215219977
I think that you are absolutely right on the nose with bipolar and creativity, at least as far as my experience is concerned.  I am a writer.  The things that I write just come to me.  I get an idea, let it float through my head, and then it comes out beautifully in words on paper.  I think that part of the reason people who suffer this disorder are so creative is that we see things in a way that other people don't.  We are more intune with emotions, perpectives and ourselves, and through our creative outlets we can express those things.  I also have had a hard time deciding what I want to do with life, and that can be a side effect of being bipolar.  It's hard sometimes to keep up with the drive that we create for ourselves to get what we want. I do, however,  agree too that flip-flopping at a young age is part of coming to terms with who you are as a person, and finding your identity.  If it's a continuation or it really makes living everyday hard then it can be a problem. That was the one thing that scared me the most about taking meds...I was afraid I was going to lose all of that. I know like xanweaner said that creativity strikes mostly during manic periods, but I have to admit that a lot of my stuff came when I was severely depressed.  I felt so alone even when I was around people that I had the chance to really observe my surroundings and actually feel them.


I too am  on lamictal, and I don't think that there has been any conclusive studies that bipolar is linked to epilepsy, but I guess I'm not too for sure.  You could do a web search, but I know it's hard to find things that are credible.  

Anyway, good luck with everything and eventually you will find where your niche in life is and where you need to be.  Keep up with the creative works though, sometimes it's just what we need to get us through the hard times and to occupy our minds when we can't stop thinking!!!
Helpful - 0
432009 tn?1304749841
I think that some degree of "flip-flopping" goes on when we're young and in our 20's. I think it's part of the process of learning about ourselves and what makes us happy or dissatisfied.

I don't agree that "flip-flopping" is a criteria of bi-polar disorder. The criteria is a bit more involved than that and normally involves a disruption of someone's life in negative terms. Obviously, during a manic phase, one can feel eurphoric and "high" and grandiose ideas can develop....and people feel good in this phase, but it can lead to some serious problems as a result.

But, in regard to creativity and intelligence - many bp's fall into this category.
You might want to consider getting some psychotherapy to help you sort through this.

Good luck...
Helpful - 0
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