The relationship between creativity and Bipolar Disorder has been explored in research over the years, as many individuals who have a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder are well-known for their ambitious and creative pursuits, such as being an artist or musician for example. Oftentimes, individuals with Bipolar Disorder worry that their drive to achieve and the successes they have are attributed to their experience of mania, since manic symptoms include experiencing high levels of energy. As a mental health professional, it is important to understand that although individuals with Bipolar Disorder who experience manic episodes may increase the rate productivity in their work, episodes of mania actually decrease the quality of their work. Therefore, clinicians should educate their clients in helping them to understand that it is they who should be credited for their ambitious drive and goal-oriented behavior, as this is symbolic of their personality traits, not their manic episode/symptoms. This information can be used to increase self-efficacy among clients and to implement interventions that are geared towards the personality of the individual, rather than their diagnosis alone.
Author: Kelsey Dailey, M.S.
Reference
Murray, G., & Johnson, S. L. (2010). The clinical significance of creativity in bipolar disorder. Clinical psychology review, 30(6), 721-732.