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Bipolar and Creativity
October 18, 2007
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Bipolar illness can be challenging to live with. But creativity can play a big role
in dealing with the disorder. Zak Teachout
is a talented artist who also happens
to be living with bipolar illness.
Zak says, “You don’t know when that ugly monster that is the illness is going to
pop up and ruin everything.”
When his illness does get the best of him, Zak chooses creative outlets to help
relieve his stress. “I think anything creative is extremely therapeutic. I like
to play music, play my guitar. I like to paint. I build models. I write. I write
poetry. I’m working on a novel right now”.
Michael B. Spellman is a Licensed Psychologist with Lee Memorial Health System.
He says as a group people with bipolar illness tend to be fairly bright and creative
souls. But if you’re living with bipolar illness the creative talents that help
you cope could potentially hinder your treatment.
Zak says “that’s one of the great things with bipolar is because you do get these
extreme creative urges. Of course on the other had you get extreme creative lows where it just disappears and everything stops.”
But while Zak may feel a loss of creativity, those around him may not even notice
a difference.
“They don’t feel as sharp and as intellectually bright as they used to and in fact
to the outside observer they’re doing fine. To them it feels like a slowing so compliance
with medication becomes a problem,” says Dr. Spellman.
Doctors agree that medication is a crucial
part of treating bipolar illness along
with regular visits to a psychologist.
Research shows that if you have a family history of bipolar illness you are more likely to develop it.
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