by April Trice

Created on: November 10, 2008   Last Updated: December 08, 2008

Genius: a peculiar, distinctive, or identifying character or spirit. (Merriam-Webster, definition 3.a)

The common misconception of "Bipolar Genius" is that it solely relates to superior intellect. While a great number of Bipolar geniuses are, in fact, highly intelligent, a large portion are "genius" on a completely different level. It's no secret that most Artists and Writers are moody individuals. They tend to be loners with an eccentric personality, oblivious to the pace and opinions of the "outside" world. I myself fall somewhere between "Highly Intelligent" and "Eccentric Loner".

Perhaps we tend to withdraw from society because it's so evident (to us) that we're spinning in a completely different universe, seemingly. Before the internet, chatting, peer communities and high-tech interaction, we were forced to live with our disease in solitude. Now there are more peer-to-peer sites dedicated to Mental Health than I can count. And anyone with Bipolar will agree with me when I say there's a sense of elatedness when you find someone who is in your "herd". Someone who truly knows and understands the challenges you face day in, day out.

In my un-medicated manic phases, I would be virtually untouchable in the creativity department. Previously impossible problems were instantly solved. Words, rhymes, ideas...all seemed to pour out of me in an uncontrollable stream. It's widely accepted as fact that the Bipolar mind is also an intensely creative mind. Countless studies have been done, trying to link the two. It seems, however, that the usual focus is on our Manic state. That Mania is where genius creativity dwells.

For a large group of us, Depression is also where our genius dwells. Sure, some lean more towards mania...some towards depression when they seem to be at their creative peak. I'm equally as creative in both states. I'm not sure if this is a curse or a blessing. I'm leaning towards it being a blessing. Because in those dark days of depression, it's my creativity that keeps my head above the proverbial water. It's what distracts me from the dark and morbid thoughts that could easily consume me.

I'm often humored at watching the Great Minds of the medical field trying to decipher and break down the Bipolar Mind and its link with Genius. It's like watching someone trying to find the exact mathematical equation for the planet's existence. Virtually impossible. Perhaps they could all save themselves the trouble by releasing a statement that says something like this:

"All Bipolar minds are Genius. Therefore, we are of the opinion that all persons currently diagnosed with Bipolar as well as ones diagnosed in the future, shall be revered for the geniuses that they are. Should you come in contact with one of these great minds, it would behoove you to immediately stop what you are doing and bask in their intellectual and creative superiority. You shall then smile graciously and thank them profusely for bringing color, life, imagination and variety to your dreary existence in an otherwise gray world. They will not harm you. Be not afraid. Simply appreciate them for what they are. Geniuses."

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