Bipolar (manic depression) is a term tossed around as liberally as OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). And, its done so equally inappropriately. OCD is a real disease and debilitating and so is bipolar disorder. However, since 2.4% of the global population have bipolar disorder it deserves consideration as a legitimate challenge we creative types may suffer. A friend (and practicing physician) told me years ago that he believed I suffered from a mild case of bipolar disorder. Today he shared that he recognized speech patterns that indicated the disease, that hed witnessed manic states. I know [exactly] the events hes talking about. Once was after an election where I was particularly invested in the outcome and participating in political action. I was overworked and drinking too much, and very sleep deprived. I get whacky when I skip sleep for days, especially when Ive skipped adequate sleep for weeks at a time. It compounds. I think doctors would identify this as the phase itself. My overworked, sleep deprived state is itself a symptom of the disease cycle. But, in [some] cases I just had more workload than time and really needed the money. That doesnt explain choosing to participate in a political cause after putting in a 15 hour work day. I (now) tend to view political activism itself as a form of mental disease. And, like many unhealthy choices Ive made in life I try to abstain. Mood fluctuations are tricky. Brain chemistry can be hacked to improve stability. But, there are huge ifs in that equation. [If] you diagnosed it right, and [if] you pick the right chemicals. Virtually all bipolars Ive known are horribly entertaining people to know. Most will go off their meds. They all have self-destructive patterns, lack focus, lack clarity -- at times. And, then theres the bipolars that seem superhuman. Many startup rock stars admit to swings in mood, extreme at times. It has been suggested many times that genius is close to madness. Stable people clock in, clock out, and avoid deep introspection. Im not saying all brilliant people are mentally ill... but there seems to be a pattern of healthy, normal people pointing at renaissance personalities and calling them nuts. That tradition is as age old as heretics who created art and science. For my mental health, I plan to take a very open minded approach to my own clarity. Im going to journal, disgustingly honest. My Facebook posts may already paint the mind of a bipolar. Just ask DARPA. Im sure theyve already diagnosed my brand of brain. See how I threw in that paranoid moment. Threw you off didnt I? Am I speaking tongue and cheek, doing it for entertainment, or do I perhaps actually believe Im being psychologically profiled by a clandestine government agency? Ha! This is why intelligent and successful people often journal. It does offer insights, record important moments in our lives. And, today Im beginning a private journal to share my thoughts. At some point Ill share those with someone in confidence, for outside perspective. Maybe Ill share this with someone in the medical profession. Ref: Baby, did you forget to take your meds youtu.be/9eh0rAUwZSQ About 2.4% of world population bipolar cnn/2011/HEALTH/03/07/US.highest.bipolar.rates/ US bipolar stats estimated as high as 4.4% cnn/2011/HEALTH/03/07/US.highest.bipolar.rates/ What is Bipolar Disorder (NIH) nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml Tim Ferriss talks about dealing with bipolar tendencies of entrepreneurs fourhourworkweek/2013/11/03/productivity-hacks/ fourhourworkweek/2008/10/03/harnessing-entrepreneurial-manic-depression-making-the-rollercoaster-work-for-you/ Tim Ferriss how you shouldnt use the label depression fourhourworkweek/2008/01/23/depression-how-you-label-determines-how-you-feel/ Fighting depression and its cost for the intelligence driven careers muddylemon/2011/05/depression-burn-out-and-writing-code/ Noah Kagan on 36 ways to fight depression okdork/2012/10/16/how-to-deal-with-depression/ I have coffee with friends, try to stay connected to people I like and respect. And, Im not convinced Im not normal. Happy to discuss.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:32:36 +0000
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