One of the largest studies only linked higher intelligence to the minority of bipolar patients who had “pure” disease without any other mental health issues. ¹ “This may be because common comorbidities like anxiety, substance misuse, and personality disorder stand in the way of creativity.
They found that 12 risk genes for bipolar disorder were also linked to intelligence. In 75 % of these genes, bipolar disorder risk was associated with higher intelligence. In schizophrenia, there was also a genetic overlap with intelligence, but a higher proportion of the genes was associated with cognitive impairment.
Some people with bipolar disorder may find it harder to think, to reason, and to remember things. Changes in thinking that can occur as people go through the different phases include: changes in attention span and focus. racing thoughts during a high, or manic, phase.
Positive psychological traits of spirituality, empathy, creativity, realism, and resilience are frequently observed in bipolar individuals [239].
Bipolar Disorder and Creativity: “Madness versus Genius”
Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, poets like Walt Whitman and Sylvia Plath, and composers like Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky all reportedly having struggled under the burden of illness [19].
For someone with this type of BPD relationship, a “favorite person” is someone they rely on for comfort, happiness, and validation. The relationship with a BPD favorite person may start healthy, but it can often turn into a toxic love-hate cycle known as idealization and devaluation.
“But the genes that cause bipolar disorder and the genes that cause high intelligence may in some cases go together,” says Tohen. Bipolar disorder is linked to a specific kind of intelligence. The connection between intelligence and bipolar disorder is largely seen in those with high verbal IQ (VIQ).
Because mood disorders like bipolar change the person's state of mind, they affect thinking patterns of decision-making that are typically based on rational thought processes. Someone with a depressed mood thinks differently than someone who is simply sad.
If you have bipolar disorder, it doesn't necessarily mean that you're going to go on and develop a social anxiety disorder or have problems socially, but the chances are higher and social anxiety has been linked to bipolar disorder.
Grandiosity and overconfidence. Easy tearfulness, frequent sadness. Needing little sleep to feel rested. Uncharacteristic impulsive behavior.
People with bipolar disorder can live a good life, be happy and be successful—just like anybody else. In fact, you might be surprised to find out that some of the greatest and most creative minds have had bipolar disorder. Some of their greatest work has been done during their darkest times.
What's more, many people with bipolar disorder report memory loss and or difficulty remembering things. These individuals may have trouble with short and long-term memory, struggle to think things through at a quick speed, and have difficulty thinking outside of the so-called box.
Researchers do know that bipolar disorders have a strong genetic component, with a heritability rate of about 58% . This has led many to conclude that that the genes associated with bipolar disorder may offer advantages such as above-average creativity, intellectual insight, and productivity.
[1] It makes sense considering that when people became manic, they had more energy to use, and more ideas racing through their minds, leading to creativity. Jimi Hendrix, arguably one of the greatest rock and roll guitarists of all time, was said to be a genius in his own right. He wrote the song “Manic-Depression.”
Bipolar disorder can cause a lack of empathy, but symptoms may also make it more challenging to focus on the feelings of others. While there is no medication to improve empathy, treating bipolar disorder can help. Introspection, guided emotional learning, and observing emotions in others may also help build empathy.
High quality evidence shows a small effect of poor reasoning and problem solving ability in people with bipolar disorder, including those with first-episode bipolar disorder, compared to people without bipolar disorder (controls).
One possibility is that the genes associated with intelligence also make you more prone to mental illness, but intelligence doesn't directly increase your risk of mental illness. Another possibility is that people with higher IQs are often more socially isolated, which leads to more anxiety and depression.
Bipolar, he says, is both a blessing and curse. "It's mostly a gift, and sometimes it's more a curse to your family because they've got to live with it," he says. The blessing, Mr Higgins says, is that many of those living with bipolar disorder see life in far more colourful terms.
It's been called “the CEO disease” because so many notable leaders, including Winston Churchill, Ted Turner, and Jane Pauley are known or believed to have experienced bipolar disorder. Triplet took time away from her business to pursue treatment.
Borderline personality disorder is one of the most painful mental illnesses since individuals struggling with this disorder are constantly trying to cope with volatile and overwhelming emotions.
“When you're in a hypomanic or manic state, you're also more likely to feel you're in love,” says Haase. “You may then act on that feeling when making major long-term life decisions, not understanding your state had something to do with what you were feeling.”
Bipolar Obsession Is an Exhausting Mix of Mania and Anxiety
The feeling of bipolar disorder's obsessive thoughts is kind of like mania and anxiety put together. It's uncontrollable. And it is so hard to describe because it exhausts my brain.