The Bipolar Fatal Attraction

John,

Do not believe the psyciatrists were always so blunted.  This is most likely a product of conditioning, a personality trait that serves them in the clinical environment. They have a need to fit in and conform to the image of stability and do not forget pathology most often involves symptoms of emotional disturbance.  One must be cautious in the presence of other diagnosticians.  It does appear quite neurotic.  One can only feel sorry for them and hope they do not carry this clinical demeanor with them at all times.

It is only natural to be yourself, not hindered by ego conditioning, being free to act unrestrained by fears of other's judgements.  Freedom of expression is not foolish.  "To thine own Self be true"  Maybe it is the joy of the true Self that attracts us.

Thank you John, for yet another really perceptive message.

The people who move things forward, whether their work is in the arts, or politics, or science, can very rarely be placed in the "normal" range regarding the mood spectrum.  But the rage for normality--an interesting oxymoron there--defines our culture.  We want people who are absolutely rock-solid emotionally who offer ground-breaking new insights.  I'm drawing a blank thinking of who such people are.  Anybody want to help me with this?  I'm not being ironic, and it's not a rhetorical question. 

O.K.  President Obama seems to be such a human.  Any thoughts from the forum?

I hate to break up a political debate but I wanted to share something. When I first married my husband, I was irritated at his steadiness. He had Obama-like rationality in response to my tantrums. My pendulum would swing from one to ten, yet he remained a perfect simmering five. Of course, I had no respect for this even keel or desire to act like him and used epithets like "boring" and "normal" when we fought. I even had an emotional fatal attraction of my own (simply a fantasy, nothing ever came of it) towards a man I deemed more interesting. I came to this conclusion because he was more like me, running hot and cold. Once I realized me and Mr. probably bipolar would make an unlikely pair, I found my husband's rock steady emotional base to be appealing. Long story short, I am very thankful my husband has stood by me through symptoms, diagnosis and countless episodes. In our later years, we have respect for each other's differences. All good things are not found in the bipolar population nor are the normals totally boring. I think the secret lies in being happy with what we both bring to the equation. John, thanks for the invitation to comment. I hope I wasn't too off topic.

I agree.  I think that we need all types to make the world go round and remain interesting.  If we were all flat or all bipolar or all anything else, we'd drive one another insane and learn very little.  But diversity allows learning to take place, and in fact, coerces its energy.  I think people simply need to learn sensitivity and realize that their view isn't the only one.  As someone who grew up with a neurological disorder, I can well understand being similar to someone with bipolar though I'm not, and being frowned upon for exuberance, among other things.  Nice article.

I never really thought about it before but its so true. i sparkle when not in an episode and people give me that 'dead pan stare'. look at me like im nuts  i just keep on talking anyway.  im so greatful im not a ' flatone'. i like  'sparkler' better. you should see some of the looks i get in a AA meeting. ha Kelti  !!