Famous bipolars

^^Yes but we can't throw the world bipolar around it cheapens the illness. Makes it a free-throwing term for any depression\mental disorder.

Does anyone know how long Bipolar/Manic depression as actually been considered an illness?

I think that bipolar is being "cheapened" today anyway. I think it is becoming the "in thing" to some extent amongst children. Previously ADD was the "in thing", before that, braces, and before that, yoyo's.

No one takes bipolar disorder serious anymore.
It's been cheap for years and years... even since Richard Gere did that movie where he played a sever bipolar.
It's just a thing.

I always thought that true bipolar was defined by its connection to
creativity and the artistic temperament and thus referred to at times
as the artists decease. While the cheap bipolar' are defined by the
pharmaceutical companies in league with greedy doctors quick to
diagnose bipolar just to push all the new meds now on everyones
TV screen.

bipolarworld wrote:I always thought that true bipolar was defined by its connection to
creativity and the artistic temperament and thus referred to at times
as the artists decease. While the cheap bipolar' are defined by the
pharmaceutical companies in league with greedy doctors quick to
diagnose bipolar just to push all the new meds now on everyones
TV screen.

Short of Abilify, I have never seen an ad for a med used for BP on TV. No ads saying "if you present these symptoms, you might be BP." I rather wonder who the cheap bipolars you refer to are? Those without an artistic temperment? I guess I qualify as real, being a English major with an emphasis in writing and all.

Seriously, though, I don't know about some public cheapening of BP. I never recalled actors or actresses that silly mags called bipolar, or movies about it. My experience with it was through hearing about it because of a great aunt with it as a kid, and my father in law who had a severe case. I thought it was some sort of freaky disorder, certainly nothing to be "in". In fact, when surveys pointed started pointing towards me having symptoms, I was in denial because I wasnt nutso like those people. Anyhow, I guess my point is that I would think most certainly the general public is more like me.

As for psych's, I would wager, even if in the pockets of pharm companies, they are more likely to promote depression, as well, that is the one you see the ads for all over tv.

keylimepie wrote:

bipolarworld wrote:I always thought that true bipolar was defined by its connection to
creativity and the artistic temperament and thus referred to at times
as the artists decease. While the cheap bipolar' are defined by the
pharmaceutical companies in league with greedy doctors quick to
diagnose bipolar just to push all the new meds now on everyones
TV screen.

Short of Abilify, I have never seen an ad for a med used for BP on TV. No ads saying "if you present these symptoms, you might be BP." I rather wonder who the cheap bipolars you refer to are? Those without an artistic temperment? I guess I qualify as real, being a English major with an emphasis in writing and all.

Seriously, though, I don't know about some public cheapening of BP. I never recalled actors or actresses that silly mags called bipolar, or movies about it. My experience with it was through hearing about it because of a great aunt with it as a kid, and my father in law who had a severe case. I thought it was some sort of freaky disorder, certainly nothing to be "in". In fact, when surveys pointed started pointing towards me having symptoms, I was in denial because I wasnt nutso like those people. Anyhow, I guess my point is that I would think most certainly the general public is more like me.

As for psych's, I would wager, even if in the pockets of pharm companies, they are more likely to promote depression, as well, that is the one you see the ads for all over tv.

In her Book: Touched With Fire, doctor Kay Redfield Jamison
explains the relationship between bipolar and creative artistic genius.
The list of artists on the first post of this thread is short in comparison
to the real number of bipolar artist now living in the world.
I know its possible to be bipolar and not be an artist, but recent
studies show that the majority of artists are indeed bipolar.
I look at bipolar from an artists point of view, but doctor Kay
looks at it from a doctors point of view. So it would seem that
the general public of bipolar people are more artist than not,
and this according to a Famous doctor who is not an artist
but who is also bipolar herself............... go figure.

Thats not really go tme. I am aware that many bp people are artistic, or artistic people bp. I recognize that from people I know who are bp. whether it be music or writing, they have talents in one or the other field if not both. My concern was your defining people as cheap bipolar. Sure there must be a few that are. I would say my friends have questioned my diagnosis, but they dont see me in my dysphoric stages or when I am really down to know how I change. Mainly they see me in euphoric hypomania or normal, when I am fun loving and like to party. But that isnt to say I am not. I know what it is like to be me.

I was surprised to learn that Brian Wilson has bipolar. I'm glad I'm in such good company! I wonder if his bipolar and/or schizophrenia helped him find some of the creativity to write, compose and produce the album Pet Sounds...

AJ

When I look at these names I feel anxious like I am unacomplished. The best I can do is work and stay out of trouble.

orangey wrote:When I look at these names I feel anxious like I am unacomplished. The best I can do is work and stay out of trouble.

Honestly that's the best most of us can do.