Some benefits to having extremes of mood #bipolar #bipolarhope

May 4, 2012 6 Comments

Thoughts on work at  Lancaster’s (Bipolar) Spectrum Centre, UK

Bipolar ‘disorder’ has to be one of the most fascinating disorders ever described. It is difficult to think of any other disorder where such a high proportion of those diagnosed are so keen to keep the label. This perhaps is less surprising when we consider that to stop being seen as bipolar we may need to:

  • be a lot less energetic,
  • work less,
  • sleep more,
  • be less creative
  • and most likely put on extra weight

– none of these things especially appeal to me.

When active we can all tend to over-estimate just how productive and creative we can be. To understand the true picture some rigorous level-headed research is needed. Yesterday the spectrum centre shared news of such a study. Here is an extract:

“It is really important that we learn more about the positives of bipolar as focusing only on negative aspects paints a very biased picture that perpetuates the view of bipolar as a wholly negative experience. If we fail to explore the positives of bipolar we also fail to understand the ambivalence of some people towards treatment.”

It is just 730 words so well worth a read… http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120503115927.htm

Filed under Research Tagged with , ,

About Roger Smith (in the UK)
Helping you to think about bipolar disorder in different ways so that we can eliminate the disorder and eventually eliminate the need for this diagnosis.

6 Responses to Some benefits to having extremes of mood #bipolar #bipolarhope

  1. Rich says:
    May 4, 2012 at 13:30

    Lately, I’ve been reading articles on bipolar that have come to the conclusion that I should feel fortunate and grateful that I have this diagnosis in my life. Authors writing how much more creative bipolar people are, or how well some people can “manage” their manias toward a positive direction. I read this article relating to what many experience during highs and lows, but I can’t agree more strongly that I like the mood and what it brings to my life. Yes, the color of a berry is pleasant to see, but nobody mentions that during that same “high” one is very susceptible of draining their life savings on a binge that they think is alright or experimenting with the medications they are prescribed.

    My experience has been, for every action there is a reaction. I am in the creative field and although I was always the first to finish my project or the best in creativity, you wouldn’t know unless I’m telling you now, that I totally lost my business due to the exorbitant alcohol and cocaine addition that finally overcame me.

    I challenge anyone in the field that is not experiencing bipolar to say this is a diagnosis I am glad to have. Those that struggle, I empathize with your feelings of how this may sound and I wish there were more honest dialoguing going on about us.

    Rich, Chicago

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    • Roger Smith says:
      May 4, 2012 at 13:59

      Hi Rich, Yeah, it can be a tricky subject. Years ago I did a little survey and found half the people with the diagnosis did not want to get rid of all their highs and lows… but then it all depends on how we ask the questions. When we have recently been suffering a lot or a high has caused a lot of trouble it is difficult to see any good at all. The way I am seeing moods these days is that all moods are okay, while you recognise the mood you are in and can choose to change to a different mood any time you want to. On the other hand being stuck in one mood seems like a disorder to me, as being in an appropriate mood for where you are and who you are with has got to be healthiest for everyone.

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      • Rich says:
        May 4, 2012 at 14:09

        Please instruct me on ” while you recognise the mood you are in and can choose to change to a different mood any time you want to.”! Being “in” the mood for me, is and never has been a pleasant experience. If I want to change my mood, then maybe I should just take a handful of Klonopin or a handful of effexor. Outside of medication, all I can do is ride out the mood and become involved in activities that don’t elevate is or make it worse. I have read hundreds of posts on different boards or other websites, and there are too many people I’ve come across that say they are bipolar but never received an authorized diagnosis. This could have repercussions on the disorder in the way the general public see’s us and also, those that are trying to get disability coverage. It has a ripple effect and I’m afraid that ripple could someday turn into a tsunami.

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      • Roger Smith says:
        May 6, 2012 at 11:27

        Hi Rich, I do not know if I can reply to a reply on this blog. Please see the email and article I have sent to you. Best wishes. Roger

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    • S R SAIFI says:
      May 11, 2012 at 11:55

      Irrespective of the fact whether one is creative or not, any bipolar ailment is a bane and curse as per my own predicament.

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