[zepchic]

How has being bipolar actually been a benefit to your life?

Obviously there are tons of impediments that go along with it, but I am trying to look on the bright side. For example, I am more empathetic than most and I love my motivation and drive when manic, I can really get some good things done.

[st0psign]

the manic drive is nice until it starts to drive you and you're not getting **** done

[Woolly Bugger]

Great idea for a thread, but I can't think of a single good thing that has come from my being bipolar.

[Icare dixit]

It's all great. Just takes a lot of "training" to use to one's advantage.

But I think I'm doing alright. Shorter and less severe depression each time (depending on type) and better knowledge of what I can do and shouldn't try during mania (and depression).

But I love it. Even that it doesn't make sense, seemingly: it's a great, very difficult puzzle. You'd never (or less so) have to be bored or have intrusive thoughts if you focus on that.

[BipolaRNurse]

I think it's made me more creative and (at times) energetic. I wouldn't know the difference though, I've probably had BP for most if not all of my life and I've always been good with the written word. Other than that, I can't think of too many advantages bipolar has to offer.

I've lived an adventure I would never give back. But the good has come at terrible cost and I would gladly be normal instead.

At times, the confidence and energy of hm have been helpful. I was asked to learn computer programming on-the-job and i never would have agreed had i not been hm. I ended up taking disability benefits from that job so i still reap the rewards of that decision to this day.

The crazy energy of hm comes in handy. Last Spring i cleaned out my large storage locker down to washing the floor. I discovered many treasures i had forgotten about.

I became hm the two times i fell in love and those were the two happiest times of my life. I doubt i would have transfixed the two men so much if i hadn't been hm.

[zepchic]

Originally Posted by Woolly Bugger

Great idea for a thread, but I can't think of a single good thing that has come from my being bipolar.

Right!?

[zepchic]

Oh yes, another one...I almost have enough material to write a book! That is a good thing. Maybe one more big episode and I will have it (or lose it entirely).

I like the idea of thinking of it as an adventure or puzzle. And yes, I guess I was referring to enjoying hypomania (who doesn't?) rather than full blown mania.

[zepchic]

Also, I think we probably strive to know ourselves more....at least I do. I know my bp has had me looking for spiritual solutions, health resources, and probably some other stuff too.

[wildflowerchild25]

I am a very empathetic person because of BP. Struggling for so many years has taught me never to judge another person bc I don't know what they've fought through to get to where they are.

So true.

[Icare dixit]

The only thing I could do without is absolutely uncontrollable, changing sleeping patterns. Being either mentally tired, wired or physically tired. It's just something you can't get better at.

Give me steady mania or depression, I can adapt to that, know what to do and not to do, not these small changes. I just feel like I am torn by the changing sunrise and sunset, trembling by the fast changes, anxious, nauseous, mentally slow, physically energised.

[SillyMom]

I'm very creative when I'm manic. I feel on meds my artistic side is hidden

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[annielovesbacon]

Being hypo makes me super active, so I'm at my healthiest then (running and working out regularly). I'm also super productive, I get everything done, including work waaaay in advance (and usually all the work I neglected while I was depressed). I'm also happier in general, much nicer and bubbly.
This was a good thread idea, it's good to look for the bright side sometimes

[Pikku Myy]

With me unrelentless energy and creativity. I believe my baseline is a happy manic.

[gina_re]

I've been going through this thread, and I'm really trying to think of something positive about bp and I can't. But that doesn't mean I hate having it. It's just something I live with.

I am very artistic and creative

[gina_re]

A lot of you say you're creative. I guess that's the one symptom I don't have because I can't color, draw, sing, dance, write, paint...any of that stuff.

[Icare dixit]

Originally Posted by gina_re

A lot of you say you're creative. I guess that's the one symptom I don't have because I can't color, draw, sing, dance, write, paint...any of that stuff.

It'd say it's about doing things creatively, not necessarily creative things. Creative things take skill, practice.

Many people that are very skilled musicians, for example, might not be exceptionally creative in the same way as us.

for me, i'm going to have to go with creativity.
it's made me a lot more creative, in terms of coming up with ideas, or writing stuff- say in my journal

[gina_re]

Originally Posted by Icare dixit

It'd say it's about doing things creatively, not necessarily creative things. Creative things take skill, practice.

Many people that are very skilled musicians, for example, might not be exceptionally creative in the same way as us.

Yea...I don't do any of that either. The only "creative" thing I'm good at is writing reports. School papers and technical writing for work. That's as far as I go. I was originally a STEM major and I see things very black and white. At least that's the best way I can describe it.
Those coloring books give me a headache.
Even picking out clothes to wear to work is stressful.

[Icare dixit]

Originally Posted by gina_re

Yea...I don't do any of that either. The only "creative" thing I'm good at is writing reports. School papers and technical writing for work. That's as far as I go. I was originally a STEM major and I see things very black and white. At least that's the best way I can describe it.
Those coloring books give me a headache.
Even picking out clothes to wear to work is stressful.

Interesting. Is picking out clothes stressful because of some perfectionism or because you know you really are bad at finding matching pairs or something suited to the occasion (if that changes sometimes, like presentations or special meetings)?

I think science is the thing creativity matters as much for as, say, composing music.

It's gauging truth just using (emotional) affect. Intuition.

I know this can be greatly impaired by anxiety: I am at my best creatively when I have little anxiety, but just enough to get some "rational feedback". So either mania or depression alone doesn't work, any delusional fear or self-supporting anxiety doesn't either. It is rare. True creativity only blossoms infrequently, I think and have experienced. Like creative writers having writer's block maybe the most part of their lives.

[gina_re]

Originally Posted by Icare dixit

Interesting. Is picking out clothes stressful because of some perfectionism or because you know you really are bad at finding matching pairs or something suited to the occasion (if that changes sometimes, like presentations or special meetings)?

OK I take that back, maybe it's not "stressful" and it's not just for work. I just flat do not know how to put clothes together. Ask my sister. I cannot go shopping without her. No fashion sense whatsoever. Can't do the girly thing and don't really care as long as I have clothes on. I apparently don't dress like a 33 year old should dress.
And I don't have to do presentations at work. Thank goodness my job is pretty solitary, I only talk to people when I have to, and I work from home three days a week.

[zepchic]

I recently read this article that ended saying something like, "I wouldn't change it for the world. To feel the full human experience the high highs and the low lows is something so few get to experience"

I for one think that is bs.