I lost a 28 year old musician friend, and my 30 year old son last year. My son didn't have an official diagnosis, but Sean did...bi-polar. I have multiple disorders and having been through lots with my son before he died, I believe bi-polar was one of his. The reason he and the other young man did not want to take the meds for this disorder was because they were at their most creative states of mind when they were manic. My son could stay up 3-4 nights, writing beautiful lyrics, their music, and then recording them. He could also work during the day as a painter. His music wasn't junk either. It is very good. I have about five CD's worth. The other young man, was just becoming famous on the East Coast. His mom had the resources to begin a memorial fund for research in his name. We both lost our sons to them self-medicating to be able to stand their racing minds and moods. It is heartbreaking.

Will there ever be a way to treat one's being bipolar without removing that intense creativity that comes along with it? I know I would not want to lose it and I wouldn't take the medication if it made it go away either. How do any of you feel about this? Please feel free to share with me. This is a very hard time for me, as I'm sure it is for you also. Thanks for reading.

mistyocean