We Travel In The Best Company: Well known artists

It is well known many artists, writers, and composers were bipolar. Although many of their lives were complicated by drugs and alcohol, the features of this mood disorder were manifested before these problems began. That is probably why I have found so much poetry, so many blogs that serve as journals and expression. We do not all of us end up as great artists, but the need to create is there.

There are many gifts given because of this illness. Although my personal experience since the onset of this illness has been stressful, traumatic, and even life threatening, I truly wouldn't trade my life as it is now for a "normal" life. It has been filled with more passion, adventure, and creative expression than it ever could have if I were "normal" or normalized. Normalization should not be the goal of therapy.

Should medication and therapy be effective in allowing a person to work and function in the outside world, then that should be the goal. However, I do not believe any of us will ever be "normal." Mania may produce increased productivity or slightly diminished function, but it is not necessarily disableing. Many people with bipolar disorder are in fact high functioning.

What ever the outcome is of this illness, managed properly, it can prove to be a rich and rewarding life. Even disability is not the end of the world. There is more time allowed for pursuit of the passion many of us feel. There can be increased spirituality, insight, and long period of restorative rest.

Alcohol and drug abuse do not have to follow on set of the illness. Although the risk for suicide is high, this illness does not have to end in death. As Adrienne Rich said, "We don't need any more dead poets."