Here are some of the risks to creativity from bipolar illness and depression

Carol Forsloff — Mental health scientists have long known that there is a higher percentage of visual artists and musicians with bipolar disorder and depression than the normal population.  But is this just a tragedy for the social order and those who suffer from the illness or are there benefits that can teach us about ourselves and bring compassion , understanding and art appreciation as well?

Even great scientists and politicians, who brought high creativity to their endeavors, have also been categorized with bipolar disorder or depression. Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin looked at life out of unique life’s lenses. As a result  of Darwin’s perception, we have an understanding about how man and all nature evolved. And as a result of Lincoln’s deep feelings about himself, and his integration of those feelings with all humanity, the Great Emancipator forged the documents and the government strength to win a civil war over slavery and abolish the institution of slavery as an institution in the United States.

Experts tell us that creative people with bipolar disorder and depression may be drawn to the arts or other ventures where innovation is the mechanism for generating ideas that are outside what many would describe as the ordinary boundaries of performance.

The American Journal of Psychiatry from 1987 found that in 30 creative writers, there was a higher rate of bipolar disorder. They also were found to have higher IQs. A study in the  Journal of Affective Disorders in 2007 also found a higher percentage of creative skills in bipolar patients than those without a diagnosed mental disorder. Some mental health experts maintain that creative people are drawn to the arts and certain sciences because in looking for ways to ease their personal pain, or to understand themselves and their universe, they use their perceptions to uncover new pathways, new ideas and new ways to express their art. In doing so, they become leaders and often great contributors to the culture.

Those individuals with bipolar disorder have periods of both mania and depression. In their heightened states, great mood swings can occur; yet often it is within that uptick of mood that creativity can abound, as demonstrated by great works of art done during these episodes.  And while researchers continue to look for medications and cures for these episodes, some researchers wonder if in doing so we will eliminate that mechanism for creative advancement at the same time. In other words, our cure, or our need to make “them” like “us” may in fact reduce a level of creativity in our culture that brings value to our culture for generations.

 

 

 

Researchers maintain aspirin may be able to treat bipolar disorder

Leslie Johnson — Aspirin's good for a lot of things. It helps alleviate pain, ward off strokes, prevent heart attacks, and may prevent mental decline as well as help cure colon cancer. In many ways, aspirin could be considered a miracle drug. As if it wasn't useful enough already, now research tells us aspirin could be used in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Researchers at the University of Texas Health Center in Houston are currently testing the therapeutic effects aspirin may have when taken by those who suffer from bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is an illness that causes sufferers to experience periods of depression and periods of mania and erratic behavior. Researchers believe that aspirin may help reduce the depressive symptoms that afflict those with bipolar disorder.

When those with bipolar disorder become depressed, researchers believe their brains are suffering from inflammation. Since aspirin reduces inflammation, it may help reduce their depressive symptoms. Inflammation of the brain is associated with a few different illnesses, including schizophrenia, major depression, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. If the University of Texas researchers discover that aspirin can be used to help treat bipolar depression, it may mean that the over-the-counter drug could be used to treat quite a few other illnesses that are caused by inflammation of the brain.

As a part of the same study, the University of Texas research team is also investigating whether or not an anti-oxidant called N-acetyl cysteine could help treat bipolar disorder as well. Other studies have indicated that N-acetyl cysteine can improve how brain cells function and may help repair what causes illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression in the brain.

Both aspirin and N-acetyl cysteine are available to consumers over-the-counter. And both substances have relatively few side effects when taken by patients. If they're proven to be effective in the treatment of bipolar disorder, it will be good news for sufferers.

The medication currently used to treat bipolar disorder is expensive and comes with a laundry list of unpleasant side effects. Patients may not be able to completely give up their prescription medication for aspirin and N-acetyl cysteine. They may, however, be able to use both to further alleviate their symptoms without having to deal with additional side effects and exorbitant costs.

We'll just have to wait and see whether or not aspirin could help bipolar patients. Until then, it might not be a bad idea for all of us to look into taking the seemingly magical OTC pill.



About the Author

Leslie Johnson is a freelance health blogger and professional writer who spends most of her time writing for www.mastersinhealthcare.com and other sites related to health education. When Leslie's not writing, she enjoys swimming and researching trends in healthcare and healthcare education. Please feel free to leave your feedback for Leslie below!