The Final Analysis
which none but madmen know."
I am fortunate that my lucid intervals are fairly long and free of impediment. The only time I require strong medication is during an episode. Normally, the only medication I take is a mood stabilizer to prevent the occurrence of further episodes. Not everyone with bipolar disorder is so fortunate. But everyone will benefit from understanding themselves and their moods better; from learning to recognize the onset of an episode; from learning to reach for the tablets and the doctor at the earliest possible moment.
We are all traveling in different directions, on different roads, in different vehicles. But the rules of the road are the same for all of us. Go with the flow. Drive on the right, except sometimes. Don't exceed the speed limit, unless no one is watching. We will all pass through similar scenery. And the warning signs are the same wherever we are. So I hope my warning signs will help other travelers and give some indication of what lies ahead. And if the traffic cops catch you speeding, submit quietly. Never think you can outrun them. A high-speed chase will end in tears. Your mileage may vary.
The Role of Genetics
"The rate of mood disorder (major depression, dysthymia, or bipolar disorder) among first-degree relatives (siblings, parents, and children) of bipolar persons averages about 20%. That is, one of every five first-degree relatives of a bipolar person has a mood disorder. On average, about 8% of a person's first-degree relatives have bipolar disorder, and about 12% have major depressive episodes without mania or hypomania."
David J. Miklowitz, "The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide."
"Another way to establish heritability is to ask this question: When one identical twin has the disorder, what is the probability (percentage) that the other identical twin has it also? Identical twins, as you probably know, share 100% of their genes. Fraternal twins (from two different eggs) share only 50% of their genes, just like brothers and sisters...
One review of the genetic literature found that concordance rates for bipolar disorder among identical twins averaged 57% and between fraternal twins 14%. Stated another way, when one identical twin has bipolar disorder, there is a more than one-in-two chance that the other identical twin does also. When a fraternal twin has bipolar disorder, there is about a one-in-seven chance that his or her twin has it. This suggests that bipolar disorder has a strong genetic component. If the illness were entirely genetic the identical twin rate would be 100%. Because it is only 57%, we know there must be nongenetic, environmental causes as well..."
David J. Miklowitz, "The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide."
Employment Opportunities
"A survey done by the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University discovered that 73% of 500 professionals and managers (including nurses, newspaper reporters, corporate executives, lawyers and professors) previously diagnosed with a serious psychiatric illness, were able to maintain full-time employment in their chosen occupations. Of the respondants to the survey, 62% had worked in their position for more than two years, and 69% had increased their levels of responsibility in their jobs. Most (84%) were taking some kind of psychiatric medication and two-thirds had been hospitalized three or more times. Above all, many respondents said that getting back to their jobs was important to their recovery."
David J. Miklowitz, "The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide."
There is a tendency to feel ashamed of being bipolar. This is understandable and natural, but totally unreasonable. Bipolar disorder has a strong genetic component—blame your parents' genes (and their parents too). There is, however, shame if you let bipolar disorder ruin your life. There is a lot you can do about it, and only you can do it. With the combination of modern medicine, some effort on your part to understand it and fight it, and the love and support of friends and family, you can subdue it. Bipolar disorder does not have to ruin your life. There's every chance it will not stop you from doing what you want in your life. It didn't stop me.
Take comfort from the fact that many of the world's most creative people have been either bipolar or depressive. The proportion of famous people recognized for their creativity that have bipolar disorder is far greater than that of the general population. "Sanity is boring and true genius may be born of mood swings and mania."
Matter of fact it's all dark..."