Intellegence?

Can having Bipolar increase you're intellegence/understanding/creativity?

When people are on the "manic" phase of being bipolar, then yes, they often become extremley creative whilst they are feeling the "high".

I believe people with bipolar tend to be very intelligent, at least those I have known (and history has many more examples). I think this is due, in part, to high sensitivity. I'm not saying we're all geniuses, but there is definitely some evidence to suggest there may be a link,

I am completely new to the idea that I may be bipolar or at least exhibit tendencies. But having started exploring the possibility it seems to make sense. I have always felt that I dont fit into society.

But every now and again, I would meet people that seemed to understand my way of experiencing the world. Most were creative and were more sensitive, aware and happy to think out of the box. (BUT there always seems to be some type of struggle)

Intelligence seems as much of a label as any - but in this context I would agree, intelligence meaning an ability to assimilate information and process it in a new way.

As I said I am new to all this and I am kind of shocked at the impression that it is BAD to be like this. And we should be trying to become more 'normal'.
Is it not trying to conform that pushes to extremes?

ANd allowing, that gives space for genius?

sorry to be a post hog and a newbie.

But meant to add, that I am my most creative when depresssed. But am more proactive when manic.

where is there more information about the link between bipolar - intelligence and creativity?

Hope I have the info right (title and author), but Kay Redfield Jamison's book "Touched with Fire" is about the link between creativity/madness (bipolar/schizophrenia/alcoholism, etc.). It lists specific people known (or suspected) to have bipolar who were writers, artists and other significant people throughout history (and includes some really interesting quotes by them on their experiences). It focuses more on the creative aspect, but there is no doubt that any of these people, if you just read the list in the book, were highly intelligent and more likely geniuses. This is the obvious work that comes to mind, but I'm sure there are others.

If you just type in different word combinations on search engines, for example - creativity, intelligence, sensitivity, bipolar, madness, genius and others you will come up with some interesting articles.

Morbo wrote:Can having Bipolar increase you're intellegence/understanding/creativity?

I heard that ppl who are schizophrenic tend to be more creative than others. I haven't heard about bipolar, but I can tell you that my husband is extremely creative & bright. I don't know if it's his bipolar disorder, but that man can write some brilliant prose & poetry.

PW

I researched this topic a few years ago and wrote an article about famous people who suffered from mental illness, including bipolar. It seems that some of the best people of all time have been bipolar. The article is on my website.

When I am in the mania phase, my mind races and I feel much more intelligent. I think some things are much easier, but there are more mistakes that could prove to be quite costly because we get so much confidence. I guess I can out talk and out think most people when I am in a high from bipolar. I do not know if I could learn a subject like chemistry or spanish any better though.

It is an interesting idea. Thanks for bringing it up.
Jim S