A different perspective; How do you see Bipolar as a gift?

I wanted to explore and get in to other peoples minds of how some Bipolar moments can be percieved in a good light.

I understand, from experience obviously, that there are times (and for some, there are only times) where living with this disorder can bring destruction and harm in to lives. However I have noticed, especially on good days, that I can shift my perspective and see what is good about being Bipolar.

For example, mine would be that for one who hardly has good days, when they come about I don't take them for granted any more. I embrace the day, and enjoy it, my friends, family and moments more as a result. Where as if i had not experienced bad times, I wouldn't have had anything thing to compare it to, and I would have let it pass as just an ordinary day.

So in your eyes, how do you see having Bipolar disorder as a gift? Have there been any moments where you have really embraced and been thankful for your illness?

Please share

I feel like bipolar disorder makes me creative, which helps me out both in my personal life and at work. I see it as an advantage sometimes.

I mean, we often struggle with many things in our lives, which forces us to be creative so that we can find ways to cope.

Bipolar made me learn to be more aware of myself and my moods, and how I relate to others. It also made me take responsibility for myself to a degree that I think few people do nowadays.

I chose not to hide the fact that I'm bipolar -- and this was 22 years ago -- so I had the opportunity to educate coworkers and friends about this illness. I made some good friends and I think the openness I chose was a gift. Hard, but a gift.

I never blamed things on being bipolar.... I chose to take responsibility for all behavior, good and bad, that happened as a result of the mood swings. The good moments are true blessings, and the bad -- well, I try to learn something from them.

I would never have checked off so much on my bucket list had I not experienced hypo/manic episodes in my life.

I think a certain kind of strength is developed from experiencing the hells of depression, mixed episodes, and dysphoric manias. It also gives me the ability to be truly grateful for euthymia when it does come. I've also done plenty of "bucket list" things myself during hypo/manias as well.

I think I have a deeper understanding of the human condition because of bipolar. Being cloaked in darkness then seeing the light brings wisdom

I feel it's a definite advantage to have experienced the extremes that we have. It's difficult and even sometimes ruinous, but I would never change it. I feel at times that I've had a richer experience of life than many, and I know that I'm more compassionate, empathetic, brave and resilient than I would be had I not gone through my life this way.

Creativity. Seeing the essential things in life, around us, naturally.

Mania is the best experience ever. Only problem is it's also the most destructive.

But I would never trade what I got from it, even just the memory of the experience, not even the persecutory fantasies for anything.

Not even the hallucinations, though I have no idea what deeper revelations they might signify, I prefer delusions (when they're gone, but sometimes in the moment when they are autogenerated in your mind, actually I love that, persecutory or otherwise!), but I am forever thankful I got those experiences.

The friendships I tested have left me with the best friends a person can have.

The putting yourself together when depressed, exhausted from mania and mixed times. If you accept I bet you you can enjoy it.

But I am just accepting that way. And borderline personality helps: if I had only the personality I would have to work hard for it, but now it just all comes automatically. Much better.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I'm hesitant to view creativity, language, etc as real "gifts". I think I've noticed I can enjoy music more than most and maybe that has something to do with bipolar.

The real gift I'd say is I think bipolar has made me come to terms with the fact that I wasn't invincible and that life could end - in my early 30s - where I might've continued on this track that was much more of a one track mind. I think knowing my limitations has made me make more nuanced decisions and evaluate my choices more closely than most people do.

I believe it fuels my drive, my creativity and adds to my brilliance.

Having a wider specter of human emotions make more empathetic. I can feel for others....... and take action if I am really concerned.

Great posts and great topic!

Just wanted to add that I even found catatonia to be an interesting experience. It is really an achievement to overcome it, while there seems absolutely no reason why it would be. Makes you feel strong (as well as weak).

But maybe I am just really crazy. Don't want to infect you when you just recovered, but I hope my showing of acceptance with BP does the opposite.

I agree you feel so much better when you are stable, leaving all that behind. The journey is a reward in itself when you're there.

Bipolar saved my life.

I have been living in an abusive, toxic environment almost all of my life. I had tried to get out maybe four time is 36 years. They wouldn't let go, so I always stayed put. It began to sap the life out of me. I was way over medicated for depression and walked around like a zombie. I was wasting away by inches.
When the bipolar began to kick in around 33, it was like a very hard kick to the pants. I got my life in order as the impulse to get out grew stronger. It became undeniable that I had to get out. So in August I moved out and by December had severed most ties with those people. I had to be hospitalized inpatient in December too. I am grateful to be on meds. I don't want to stop them. There were a lot of downsides to BP too. But I will always be grateful that bipolar got me out. without it, I would still be shuffling in pain through life.

With out mania my husband and I wouldn't be together. I thought he was a **** before the mania. Then he shows up at my dorm manic while I'm manic add 2 sleepless weeks and an engagement and get mostly happily ever after.

I think Bipolar gave me more drive especially when I was younger. I graduated in 3 yrs instead of 4. Then straight into University.
Also went to university in Mexico City and lived there for a year. Bipolar kinda fueled the energy.

If I had the receipt, I would return the "gift" at the nearest store.

When I'm hypo manic and manic, I feel a euphoria no one else goes through, I become smarter than everyone else, and I feel everything. All my senses are heightened. I love it. I've posted before that I'm kind of addicted to the mania. I'm naughty I know but that's one thing I feel that ice been blessed with.... Until I get into trouble.

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I agree. I definitely think I am much more compassionate and consider what may be going on is someone's life behind closed doors",that might be affecting how they act...so I tend to try to be more patient,understanding,a lot less judgemental about others

I think having bipolar has made me a more compassionate person. I've never totally "fit in" anywhere, even long before I was diagnosed, and I tend to gather other people who for whatever reason find themselves on the outskirts of society. Even in high school, where I actually had a large cohort of misfits as friends and we formed our own group, just like the jocks, the stoners, the brains and so on. I had no idea then about the BP, wasn't even diagnosed till I was 53. But looking back, it explains a lot about the way my life has gone.

gives me wider range of feelings