Let's look at one of the plus sides to Bipolar "disorder" CREATIVITY.
I used to believe that because I was bipolar, the manic highs were providing me with the impetus to do really creative things, and that if i were being treated, all of that creativity would simply disappear.
Speaking from my own personal experience, this is simply not the case. I have been creative all of my life, but without some sort of management mechanism, it was essentially wasted because it was never properly channeled. During the period in which I was under management with medications and therapy, I slowly began to realize that I still had the ability to be creative, but with proper care, I was able to actually follow through with my creative endeavors.
To shorten the story, I completed my second CD. The first was a musical selection of Operatic arias and Ballads, the second...Jazz and Blues (Go figure. Only a Bipolar could swing from Opera to Blues.) It's been great fun and it was made possible by STAYING on my medications rather than saying they were keeping me from being creative. Food for thought.
GVR
I am finding my way back to my creativity also...I have lots of skills and talents...writing and music being the main ones. My therapist is constantly encouraging me to write a book. We shall see where God takes these fun things in my life. Right now, I'm being a very creative wife, mom and grandmother! My kids are out of the nest and that was quite the challenge to be diagnosed at the same time as empty nest hit. A year of much emotion...exacerbated by the diagnosis.
I am so excited to know that I can now dream and make plans once again without having to be in fear so much as to how much I can take on. I am me...I'm a great me...lots to share!