I suppose for me, I get what you mean by using bipolar as a way to succeed but there's ALWAYS the down fall.

Yes I am quite productive when I am hypomanic, and I am incredibly attuned to small details, and I am able to join the dots together in certain situations if you get what I mean.

However a full blown manic episode is NEVER pretty. It always end me up in a psych ward, and takes a lot of sedation and care until I level out.

And the depression can get very crippling.

SO what I want to say is Bipolar is chronic illness, it is not beautiful.