I find the fact that the characteristics of the manic and depressive phase of the disorder are simular to those of a Creative person very interesting.
The question I am aiming to answer is, “when does creativity become a disorder?”
There seems to be a blurred line regarding this.
Does the disorder control creativity, or creativity control the disorder?
In the sense that, is it because of the disorder the person is creative, (or has heightened creativity), or that because of creativity that the person may have the disorder?

Through my research i found this information…

the manic phadse of bipolar disorder is characterised by emotions and behaviours that parallel the creative process, these include:

- original thinking
- heightened sensativity
- increased drive and productivity
- increased fluidity, fluency and frequency of thoughts
- thedency to use rhymes, idiosyncratics and alliteration
- sharp focus
- intensity
- ability to function on limited sleep
- increased quality and quantity of word usage
- extreme anxiety
-psychosis

I found this interesting, if any one has any comments they wish to make regarding this, i would be very interested to hear them…

thanks!

That might be a fun project. Find the bipolars in the bible. There probably enough info there—there’s the requisite disclaimer about not diagnosing from a distance—but fun all the same.

King Saul, anyone? Elijah?

Sleep, however, makes all the difference in the world. If I don’t get those two hours of missed sleep back the next night, watch out.

I really like the 12 points list - I got diagnosed Bi-polar type 2 when I was 40 in 2000 after many years of Helter Skelter. Re. the fundamentalist camp and its highs, it would be sad if it put you off Christian “highs” forever; no one can stay on the mountain all the time but I do like to go there at times. I got born again in 1993 and I’ve been through plenty of history since then but I’m here thanks to God.

Finally, really liked what you said about hypomania seeming to be “normal” and happy but actually being hypomanic.. greetings and blessings Gillian

I wandered over from Will’s link. I’ve been living with cyclothymia, unmedicated, for about 13 years now. Your post elucidated a number of issues for me, the memory thing being key. Another observation, is that bipolarity tends to create extreme ideas of guilt & evil, with the need for a complete absolution such as dispensational salvation. I’ve found Orthodoxy to be a more balanced faith.

Did you ever experiment with diet, exercise, or alternate therapy methods prior to medication? When I’m following a vegetarian diet, avoiding alcohol & hormones in foods, and regularly dancing, my lapses into extremity are much more infrequent & easily recovered. A structured home & work environment, even regular mealtimes, have also been known to help.

God Bless, and good luck.

Andrea