[Travelinglady]

5 Positives Of Bipolar Disorder

I wouldn't have come to PC and met such great people like you had I not been diagnosed with bipolar.

this is a great artickle and I certainly agree with the being more creative bit

I always fancied being creative, but before diagnoses, I wrote a charlie and the chocolate factory in 3 d thing (it was all I could come up with), which wasn't that good, and to be honest, didn't make that much sense- it was the same characters from the book experiencing the chocolate factory in a virtual computer game- a bit rubbish

but after diagnoses I got lots more creative. I started with poems about what it's like to have mental illness, (from shadows to eluminations always being my favorite of those)

first story was actually a series called libberty street, about these kids on a street who just didn't behave- and the last one, liberty street bank robbery, they were all grown up and stole the cash to go to vegas

a lot of my other stories are family orientated too- and I really enjoyed working on christmas in orlando (I'm thinking about a sequel, written by one of the main characters who was involved in a crash)

I also agree strongly with the finding people that care and understand.

I'm not sure that bipolar led me here, (seeing as I have other illnesses too, and would have ended up on this site, bipolar or not), but it does help I am. lol

not sure about being stronger though. I certainly don't feel like a stronger person

[pirilin]

I Don't believe those apply to thyself.
But I'm from another planet. Where everybody has bipolar. But me.

What's really great about bipolar is that it keeps you wondering.
I'm I?. Is it possible?. Nah. Well, maybe. I'm different. Is that bipolar?.

Then one day you stop caring about it.
Then, and only then, you start living your own life. Not a stereotype.
And really accepting who, and what you are.

I recon I get away with stuff others can't.
I've always worked for myself. Sans a year, that I worked as a rep for Prudential.
One week you're a hero. The next, a bum. I got bored.

Besides, I'm retired. And old. I can get away with almost anything, hehe.
Worst that can happen is to be considered delusional. So?.
Do they pay my rent?.

Cheers.

I do agree with all five, in my case, but a couple not in all ways:

1. Made me stronger - I am stronger in that I've learned how to cope in more positive ways. Having lived through hellish traumatic times, I feel that I will be a bit more prepared for any future ones. But I am still on disability. The worst times of my illness really knocked me down a number of pegs. I haven't fully recovered. I used to be able to handle so so much (in terms of endurance and responsibilities), but now I can't, as much. I accept that, and work with it. Acceptance, for me, doesn't mean I've given up. It just means I focus my efforts differently. Doing less can sometimes be doing more. A lot of the knowledge I've gained over these past 15 years has made me smarter than I used to be, in various ways. That's a strength. I'll take steps forward when I'm ready, but not irrationally because of impatience.

2. Being more appreciative - Oh yea! Much more appreciative! Not just for the big things in life, but the little things, too. This helps keep me relatively well, and has diminished tendencies to feel hopelessness, disappointment, and to hurt myself in ways I used to.

3. Being more empathetic - Absolutely, but I grew more empathetic only after I had been dragged down hard. Going to support groups of various sorts (in-person and online) has really helped me develop empathy.

4. Being more creative - I can't say if bipolar disorder made me creative or not. I feel I am quite creative in various ways, but I prefer to give myself the credit for this, not a mental illness. Sorry Kay Redfield Jamison! I actually believe I've become more creative since being properly medicated than when I wasn't. Well, at least in different ways.

5. Finding others who really understand - With the exception of my husband, my psychiatrist of 15 years, and maybe my late mom, I felt alone in the world in the past. Even when I had many more friends. I certainly appreciate forums like this where others have had similar experiences. However, I don't always feel completely understood here, either. And I'm sure others can say the same. I do know that we all know struggle and depression. We sort of relate on the manic side, too, but not always. Personalities, flavors of bipolar, and other factors (particularly the "distance" and "shield" we have through online relationships) play into remaining mysteries. At least for me. Maybe I am just speaking for myself. I'm actually a rather hard nut to crack and one of my big therapy goals is finding ways to tear down the glass wall I often put between myself and others. I only allow my most trusted people to really have access to the fully exposed me. If anyone can relate to this, then we certainly understand each other in that respect, as well.

[Skeezyks]

Here are links to a couple more articles in the subject:

Benefits of Bipolar Disorder?

Top Ten Terrific Things About Bipolar Disorder

[Guiness187055]

Originally Posted by Skeezyks

Here are links to a couple more articles in the subject:

Benefits of Bipolar Disorder?

Top Ten Terrific Things About Bipolar Disorder

I can relate to the top ten list.

[Pookyl]

I think Bipolar sucks. I can’t find positives. I’ve got so much wrong with me health wise that maybe Bipolar was just the last straw. Who knows?

[Lefty Seven]

Exceptional viciousness, when appropriate, from the pain I've endured from the illness and all the fighting training I've taken to control the aggression of mania. I've never been attacked or had justifiable cause to attack someone, but if that ever happens, the illness might pay for itself.

[winter loneliness]

I am empathetic and creative. Big Whoop!

[sarahsweets]

I think a lot of those things apply to me because of me- not the bipolar. I think I would be this way without the bipolar. I know that many people like to look at their bipolar in a positive way but I just cant. That doesnt mean I look at it negatively- I just choose to live with it and be the best I can be.

[WishfulThinker66]

Can I, if I may put another spin on this?

I was thinking immediately to the positives of being manic. I don't find anything positive to being anxious or depressed. When so, these things consume my life and my distress becomes debilitating. I absolutely am not able to draw on my strength, will, and motivation. However, when manic, I am queen of my world.

When manic....

Motivation. I have an incredible drive to do all manner of things. I have a thirst for activities that provide excitement. My art work feeds off the mania in that I am motivated to produce it and generally the end product turns out fabulous.

Socializing. I also have a heightened drive to be social. I will go out and mingle with complete strangers even all to avoid a quiet night at home. Some of my better friends I have today are people I otherwise would never have met had I not been manic.

Can do attitude. I tend to take more risks when manic feeling more able to perform them and worry less about not being able to do so.

Confidence and self esteem. These sky rocket.

Sleep pattern and weight-loss. I sleep less which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I tend to lose a great deal of weight too.

The best thing then about being bipolar then has been all of the things I have done that I otherwise wouldn't have.