Bipolar Disorder and Creativity

September 20, 2020

Have you ever heard the term "mad genius"? This term comes from the idea that sometimes people who are "crazy" are also highly intelligent and creative. But is this a real phenomenon or just a myth developed based on a few famous geniuses who might have been a bit "out there"? Some studies have found there is a link between some psychopathology and a higher level of creativity. One mental illness that is linked with heightened creativity is Bipolar Disorder.

There are three disorders that the DSM-5 criteria will classify as forms of bipolar disorder; Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, and Cyclothymic disorder. A person with Bipolar I disorder does not require a depression episode to be diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder, but depression is required for a diagnosis of Bipolar II Disorder. Bipolar II Disorder is characterized by a person having at least one major depressive episode and one hypomanic episode in their life. To be diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder, a person must have had at least one manic episode in their life. Mania is the “high” of BD and people will often feel extremely energetic, productive, and positive, but also can make reckless and impulsive decisions that can have a detrimental effect on their life. Hypomania is like mania but to a lesser degree, often people are able to function and reason just fine with hypomanic symptoms. Cyclothymic Disorder is characterized by frequent hypomanic episodes and regular but mild symptoms of depression. The name “bipolar” comes from the extreme highs and lows of moods that people with this disorder experience (Kring, 2014).

There is evidence of a correlation between Bipolar Disorder (and other mental disorders) and heightened creativity and productivity. Even in Ancient Greece there was a theory called the “mad genius” theory, which talked about “a divinely infused madness, characterized by melancholy and ‘frenzied’ delirium, [which] inspired all creative achievement in the arts and intellectual domains” (Misset, 2013). The ancients did not view this madness as a long term psychological condition, and they also didn’t necessarily think it was a bad thing, probably because of the alleged “genius” that accompanied the madness.

The ancient Greek’s mad genius theory became well known and believed even into the 18th century (Misset, 2013). While there is no way for neuroscientists to scan the ancients’ brains to see how they worked and what was really causing the “mad genius” symptoms, it’s possible that this “mad genius” theory was so easily accepted because of some of the famous, creative, and successful people who were also known to experience the high-and-low of mania and depression. As for the “creative genius” being a result of coexisting with a mental disorder, evidence points to a genetic cause. There are some studies suggesting that a family which is genetically predisposed to developing Bipolar Disorder also passes on a genetic tendency to be more creative (Shapiro, p743 & 745).

Another bit of evidence points to a connection between not only creativity, but high achievement in some people with Bipolar Disorder. A survey was taken from people with Bipolar Disorder which found that people with BD have higher ambitions, especially in terms of public recognition. The ambitions were found to exist “independent of current symptoms of mania” (Johnson, 2009). This evidence would suggest that, even when they aren’t having a manic episode, people with BD are more likely to have high ambitions, which often includes some form of fame.

If we were to take into consideration both the high ambitions of people with BD, and the productivity and energy of the hypomania episodes that would occur in Bipolar I Disorder and Cyclothymic Disorder, these two things could result in someone with BD being a very accomplished person. While accomplishment doesn’t necessarily equal “genius,” someone who was driven enough could achieve more than a smarter person with no drive. A person with many accomplishments could be seen as above average.

A person may not seek treatment for a number of reasons. A common reason
I would imagine is the stigma, of having been diagnosed with a mental disorder. Someone could be afraid to admit that there might be something “wrong” with them, even though being educated about one’s own mental illness can actually help them cope better. Some people enjoy the hypomanic phases of BD and do not want to seek treatment because they do not want to “lose” their need for less sleep or their enthusiasm and productivity. Many people who have Bipolar Disorder do not like the side effects of taking lithium, so they may avoid seeking treatment because they do not want to take the medication (Kring, 2014).

REFERENCES:

Johnson, S., Eisner, L., Carver, C. (2009). Elevated Expectancies Among Persons

Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, p217-222. Retrieved From: http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ccco.idm.oclc.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=21&sid=2af5ad1f-8ccf-4648-9b4a-0adcd1787d8c%40sessionmgr120

Kring, A. M., Johnson, S., Davison, G. C., & Neale, J. (2014). Abnormal Psychology

Thirteenth Edition Wiley International Edition. John Wiley & Sons

Misset,T. (2013). Exploring the Relationship Between Mood Disorders

and Gifted Individuals. Roeper Review, 35:47–57. Retrieved from: http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ccco.idm.oclc.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=18&sid=2af5ad1f-8ccf-4648-9b4a-0adcd1787d8c%40sessionmgr120

Shapiro, P. and Weisberg, R. (1999). Creativity and Bipolar Diathesis: Common

Behavioral and Cognitive Components. Cognition and Emotion, 13 (6), p741-762. Retrieved From: http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ccco.idm.oclc.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=16&sid=2af5ad1f-8ccf-4648-9b4a-0adcd1787d8c%40sessionmgr120