Creativity and Bipolar Disorder

As an adolescent I spent my free time writing songs. I loved to sing, and for a long time I was part of a combo consisting of several other musicians. Several years later, while making my living as a silversmith, I experienced my first manic episode. With all of this creativity, I fit the mold of those creative artists who have bipolar disorder. Because of a high correlation between the two, it is no surprise.

It is often acknowledged that those with major mental illness have a creative side to their persona. A look at artists of any era reveals a high percentage of co-occurring mental illness, most often depression and mania. Studies reveal the incidence of creative talent is higher in those with bipolar disorder than the public at large. What can account for this? The answer is, we don’t know.

In my psychotherapy practice where I specialize in treating this mood disorder, I see a large proportion of artists and musicians who struggle with their creativity. In the wake of severe mood shifts these talented people have a difficult time balancing their personal lives with their mental health needs. Their dilemma in dealing with out of control, emotional fluctuations is eerily similar. How can they create in the face of mood shifts, which can either send them into a manic frenzy of racing thoughts and out of control emotions or into depressive lows that have them vacant of inspiration?

Added to this confusion is the issue of medication. Quite often the creative types I see value their manic side, where for them their inspiration comes in the throes of mania. Their dilemma is how to balance their need for creative expression with the need to deal with the everyday tasks of normal living. Often, this dilemma gets played out in their medication regimen. The common complaint is wanting to have enough medication to keep them stable, yet not so much that their inspiration is stifled. Some artists would rather live with the dysfunction mania brings than face the shut-off of emotion, which leaves them bored, depressed and vacant of the color and magnitude of boldness they need for self-expression.

There are no easy answers here. Out of control and without medication only leads to chaos, including crisis in relationships and other staples of a healthy life. Yet, stifling a creative side leads to a lack of zest and the feeling you cannot express a side of yourself that is a part of who you are .The common complaint is, “we only live half a life.” What’s to be done for people tormented with the inspiration of a creative vision, yet who are handicapped when they try to express it? Such is their struggle.

We assume those touched with creative expression are lucky to have talent and to lead a charmed life, able to bring forth new ides and new creations. Yet, often it is not so easy for them. In the wake of mental illness their lives are burdened by their talent. In the end, we are all a work in progress trying to find a balance. It is, however, doable.

Tips to Balance a Creative Lifestyle

• Maintain a structured routine.
• Get enough sleep.
• Keep contact with a circle of friends.
• Find a medication regimen that fills your needs.
• Find a mental health professional who understands creativity.