I believe that we are gifted in some way, shape or form.

i think so, but i could be prejudiced LOL

I don't think BPs are any more creative than non-BPs.

i think so... there is a book about bp and creativity, cant remember the title, but i would love to read it...

My shrink says Bipolar people are some of the most gifted and creative people he's ever met. And he's been in practice for 38 years.

the one who dxed me said the same thing sw

I wish one of us creative mofo's could create a cure for this shit.

i read "curse for this shit" and thought, thats what it is!

i wonder if there will be a cure one day?

but what would we be cured?

i once read an article discounting the use of anti depressants and such, stating that the majority of great works on this planet has come from mentally disturbed individuals..

tell me he isnt a nutter ROFL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXT2E9Ccc8A

oh i love him. if he had died before i were born, i would believe i was him reincarnate and have a desperate need to carry on his persona.

I am.. and I see many here who have a wonderful gifts.

I've always said that I think people with mental illnesses express themselves more in creative ways than people without. That's not to say the creative expression is better, although as Richard pointed out, there are many brilliant artists and writers who suffered from mental illnesses.

I love this topic, it's such an interesting question. I do think that bipolar links with creativity, at least to some extent. I found two articles about the link between bipolar and creativity that I found interesting and thought I would share. :-)

Just Manic Enough - Seeking Perfect Entrepreneurs
New York Times, Business Day
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/19/business/19entre.html?_r=3&pagewanted=1

The Cost Of Creativity: Bipolar Disorder and the Stars
from: ABC News- Health
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/story?id=4439015&page=1

Kay Redfield Jamison has looked at these associations in some of her works. I need to check them out.

I know I am not very creative at all. Always seem to be stomped for idea's when it comes to what kind of crafts to make with my toddler or new hobbies etc

jux, the book you maybe thinking of is this one..

http://www.paperbackswap.com/Caressing-MadnessThe-Artistic-Brandi-Kay-Hunting/book/0595345239/

I met Brandi on the DBSA board where I used to "hang out".

There is also a book by Jaimeson - something like "touched by fire".

I'm sorry, I don't buy it at all. I see lists of great artists who were supposedly bipolar and there is really no basis for that historical diagnosis if you read their own words and those of contemporaries. People forget how much poison, disease and other stuff aroundd that would make anyone look crazy.

I don't think we are any more creative than any other group. Some of us are creative, others not.

But it might shape our mode of creativity and what it is we express.