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). ¹ This type of intelligence is associated with creativity, abstract reasoning, and comprehension through spoken and written words.
Helpful Traits
The authors reviewed 81 studies that noted positive characteristics in patients with bipolar and found a strong association with five qualities: spirituality, empathy, creativity, realism, and resilience.
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.
Bipolar mania can speed up a person's thinking processes, and the person may feel as if they cannot get the words out fast enough to express their thoughts. A person with bipolar disorder may experience pressured speech during manic periods. These are periods of extreme highs.
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.
[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.”
There have been many famous bipolar geniuses who have overcome their disorder to achieve greatness. From Isaac Newton to Mariah Carey, many have defined themselves beyond the disorder.
High Achievement with Bipolar Disorder
Seemingly, the traits that make high achievers—energy, confidence, unconventional thinking, and a high tolerance for risk—are also linked to the milder stages of hypomania. There's a reason bipolar has been called a “CEO's disease.”
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.
My short answer is: Yes, a person who lives with bipolar disorder can certainly be truly happy. But I think I can understand the concerns behind the question. If you have experienced disruptive or dangerous episodes of mania, you may worry that feeling happy is just a first step toward another damaging episode.
Many people with BPD have a “favorite person” — this is the person they rely on. Unfortunately, while a favorite person can be a source of validation and support, these relationships can also be toxic for both parties.
No two people with bipolar disorder share the same thoughts or experiences, but there are some common thought patterns among most folks who have it. This includes cyclical thinking, manic and/or depressive episodes, suicidal ideation, and psychosis.
Bipolar Disorder and Work Challenges
Managing bipolar at work -- with the highs of mania and the lows of depression -- is no small feat. In a survey conducted by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, almost nine out of every 10 people with bipolar disorder said the illness had affected their job performance.
Avoid alcohol and drugs.
They can affect how your medications work. They can also worsen bipolar disorder and trigger a mood episode. And they can make the condition harder to treat. So don't use them at all.
How many hours should someone with bipolar disorder sleep? People living with bipolar disorder should aim to get the recommended amount of sleep for their age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends more than seven hours per night for adults.
Don't take comments or behavior personally. During periods of high energy, a person often says and does things that he or she would not usually say or do. This can include focusing on negative aspects of others. If needed, stay away from the person and avoid arguments.
In other words, experiencing bipolar disorder does not mean you can't tell right from wrong, but its symptoms can temporarily make it harder to let our sense of morality guide our actions.
Some individuals with bipolar see a link between their diagnosis and their high achievement—sometimes as a result of hypomania's enhanced energy and creativity levels and sometimes because of the degree of focus and self-management required to address symptoms and prevent or cope with mood swings.
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.
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.
Studies have also found that higher IQ is associated with more mental illness, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
This suggests that some aspects of the bipolar spectrum may confer advantages, while more severe expressions of symptoms negatively influence creative accomplishment.
During an episode of mania, you could find yourself purchasing a lot of new items and not putting them away once you get home. These are just two examples that may represent how bipolar disorder can sometimes lead to “messiness” or disorganization.