The Link Between Artists and Bipolar Disease

“About 1% of the world's population is thought to have some form of bipolar disorder, from mild to severe. Statistically, men and women are equally represented. Approximately 1 in 5 people with bipolar disorder eventually commit suicide. This is 30 times higher than the general population!” Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depressive illness. It is a brain disorder that causes shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. What happens when a person has bipolar disorder …

…and interesting world full of creativity and color. Like Kay Jamison says: “What remains troubling is whether we have diminished the most extraordinary among us- our writers, artists, and composers- by discussing them in terms of psychopathology or illnesses of mood. Do we- rush to diagnose, to heal, and perhaps even alter their genes- compromise the respect we should feel for their differentness, independence, strength of mind and individuality?” Jamison, Kay, “Touched with Fire,” p.259