Bipolar and finding balance..in more ways than one?

I found this article in the current PC Newsletter and was wondering what others in the BP forum thought about it. It basically discusses how poor postural motor control (particularly balance) may be a core component of bipolar disorder due to the similar brain areas affected.

I for one definitely have an issue with balance, but I used to think it was because I am blind in one eye and my internal center of gravity is a bit off. That still may be contributing, but this is an interesting point to consider.

Here's the link: http://psychcentral.com/news/2011/05...ess/26467.html

What do others think??

Interesting.

I am a total klutzyklutz... never thought it had to do anything with my moods.

Interesting...“Our study suggests that brain areas traditionally believed to be responsible for motor behavior might represent therapeutic targets for bipolar disorder.”

It seems hard to believe, but I can say that with all we know about the brain...we don't seem to know much.

This is kina intersting as my family had nickneamed me "Grace" as a child since I was soooo graceful.. NOT! LOL I trip over air while standing still!! Hmmm.. definetly something to think about.

i'm a klutz too... when I was really sick I was even more klutzy than usual (i blamed the drugs, but maybe it was the illness...)

Ever seen that movie "Mr Jones", where he (Richard Gere) has a manic episode and balances on a really high beam of a roof, while trying to catch a jet flying over him? I want balance like that!

A misleading movie?
Poetic license referring to balance metaphorically, making the "normal" people look unbalanced by comparison? LOL. I often feel like that during a high. The rest of the world just doesn't get it. They are missing life itself!
No wonder he didn't want his meds.

Oh, I absolutely LOVE that movie! If I'm even the slightest bit manic when I watch it, I'm right up there with him on that roof and can practically feel the plane soar by.

It is interesting though, about his ability to balance there. I think part of the sharpness we sometimes feel when manic actually helps with motor control. I know I dance better when I'm manic.

Another interesting thing to think about is how the possible inherent lack of balance might affect things like field sobriety tests. Are we already a little disadvantaged in that regard, regardless of the amount of alcohol we might have had? Is it a fair test for people with bipolar? Studies like this can make a difference in court cases. Hmmmmmm...

lol i dont know about balance, but i kick my toes alot, misjudge doorways alot and walk my shoulders into them, walk into other people, maintaining a straight line is hard, i find the things and people around me distracting and distorting.
Its hard for me to move when too many other things are going on, i feel like i will fall. Or knock something over.

Haha, I was just about to make a thread on this article! I am indeed a major klutz, always have been, and recently it's gotten worse. Sometimes I lose my balance while simply standing upright with my eyes open! Of course, I haven't been officially dx'ed as bipolar, but I still thought this was an interesting subject.

This is exactly me. My mother often jokes that I still don't know my way around a house I spent all of my life in. That being said, I can get lost in the smallest of places. Put me in a place with more than three rooms and I will get lost, guaranteed. Anyone else who has that issue?

oh yes, cant find my way anywhere, my children amaze me, at least they know where we are!

I am covered in bruises all the time with no clue how they got there...so last year I set out to uncover the mystery. Apparently, I bump and scrape constantly! I can totally relate to running my shoulder straight into doorwarys at least twice a day. Maybe we move too fast or have too much going on in our brains to focus on such obvious tasks...

hahahaha!!! soooo me! You are not alone!

Interesting. I have had problems with my balance since I was a child.