Family & Friends of Bipolar Support Group
This community is dedicated to parents, siblings, grandparents, other relatives and friends of someone who is Bipolar. The purpose of this community is to help families and friends develop greater patience and understanding, as well as maintain a positive, caring relationships with those diagnosed as Bipolar.
I wonder if any of you have experienced the amazingly creative side that Ive heard a lot of people with bp tend to have.
My bf specialises in photography and digital images. He cant hold down a normal job because of his illness but he has the most amazing talent.
He takes the most beautiful portrait photos, and hes involved with a lot of local rock bands who he does publicity photos and cd artwork for. Ive also seen the much darker side to his images, even though they are still amazing, they can be very weird and even quite disturbing at times, he did them when we was going through his manic episodes and is actually prouder of those images than any of his others because he says thats when hes feeling more creative and he can let his imagination run wild.
Hes actually admitted to me that he hates taking his meds because they block his creativity and even though he hates the lows hell still stop taking his meds sometimes just to get the highs back.
He gets so many good opportunities given to him because of this but then he always tries to take on too much and expects everything to happen all at once, and of course when it doesnt he then gives up and feels like a failure.
Its a shame that he cant see how good he really is and just take one thing at a time because he could really do so well, but stress always seems to get in the way.
My bf specialises in photography and digital images. He cant hold down a normal job because of his illness but he has the most amazing talent.
He takes the most beautiful portrait photos, and hes involved with a lot of local rock bands who he does publicity photos and cd artwork for. Ive also seen the much darker side to his images, even though they are still amazing, they can be very weird and even quite disturbing at times, he did them when we was going through his manic episodes and is actually prouder of those images than any of his others because he says thats when hes feeling more creative and he can let his imagination run wild.
Hes actually admitted to me that he hates taking his meds because they block his creativity and even though he hates the lows hell still stop taking his meds sometimes just to get the highs back.
He gets so many good opportunities given to him because of this but then he always tries to take on too much and expects everything to happen all at once, and of course when it doesnt he then gives up and feels like a failure.
Its a shame that he cant see how good he really is and just take one thing at a time because he could really do so well, but stress always seems to get in the way.
For whatever reason, many BP are very creative. The manic times can make one very productive and think outside the box.
Now, in my family, there are several BPs, and several artists/creative types.
I am an art college graduate myself, and a graphic artist. I am not BP, but do have ADHD. I can tell you that the medication for my ADHD has never hindered my creativity, but rather I see it as having focused my creative thoughts and allowed me to use them productively.
My brother is also an artist, but in more of the *true* sense, in that he would never use his talent to design advertising like I do.... He went to college for art also, as well as a specialized animation school where people who are notable in comic book and graphic novel world attended and taught.
He also does *creative writing* but he insists on writing in the language of his own that is a mix of *esperanto, itself a made up language* and his own *clever* twists on words. He then get mad that no one can understand him!
Many artists through history have used mind altering drugs, LSD, cocaine, laudenum, etc. to enhance their creativity. That doesnt mean it was good for them.
I think creativity is still there, they just arent used to having it focused.
Even though he is one of the most talented illustrators I have ever seen, his inability to apply his skills in useful, focused ways has kept him from earning his living from it. He can barely hold menial jobs, because he starts talking about his BP experiences, etc. and religion.
So... I guess this is frustrating to me!
I can always tell when my bf is heading for an episode because he suddenly becomes unable to even sit for a couple of hours and watch a movie with me. He feels that if he's not doing something creative every minute of the day then he's just wasting his life away. I just wish he could relax occasionally and not have these constant thoughts running through his head.
During one of her manic episodes (she told everyone she was a professional photographer) she won a photo competition, and the pic was very good.
Perhaps mindful meditation might be helpful, you know... Zen and mindfuless exercises. Learning to be in the moment, appreciate what is, right now.
I personally have learned to LOVE boring! I long for boring! Nothing exciting... just regular!