Bipolar Disorder and Creativity

In this post, I’ll share my personal experience as to how bipolar disorder impacts creativity. As to whether one becomes more creative if suffering from mental illness. In the case of bipolar disorder, the answer is simple. Whenever I think of a great idea I become excited, so it triggers mania.

Being excited or happy is common for everyone but for one suffering from bipolar disorder, excitement is abnormal. My excitement never goes away. It keeps going up and up until I detach from reality. This state is called psychosis. I keep journaling days and nights with no sleep. At one point I realize that I’m wrong all my calculations are wrong. The excitement starts to go away like a flat tire. I become hungry and fall asleep.

I have a saying that I can only get better if you prove me wrong. Appreciation impacts me adversely. I know my triggers but also I do not want laying in bed for days and days.

In summary, my mood abruptly elevates when I think of a great idea. I remain excited until I realize I’m wrong or someone points out errors in my calculations.