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Falling in Love With Bipolar Pt. 3

The Positives of Loving Someone With Bipolar

By Renee McGowenPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
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All too often we focus of the negatives of those with Bipolar Personality Disorder. I'm here to tell you that there may be lows but nothing outruns the highs. I have completely changed my outlook on life, he's opened my eyes to a whole new world.

Josh is passionate, dazzling, and an adventurous lover. “Hypersexuality” is also a prominent feature of hypomania. It keeps our relationship going and I always have something new to look forward too. He has an abundance of creativity. For Josh specifically, writing and music are where he shines the most; in all the arts, bipolar talent is common and sometimes exceptional. The link between bipolar disorder and creativity is well-established, though further study is needed. One research finding: as many as 60 percent of people with bipolar disorders are writers. Considering I am a writer myself, we find this as a common and exciting ground. We love collaborating music and proofreading each other's writings.

Perspective on emotions. What goes up, must come down, and back up again. Viewing life and issues from both ends makes you more philosophical about the meaning of things. Josh's ability to comfort me when I am depressed and bring me up is undeniable.

Depth of experience. You’ll not meet more experienced, well-travelled, multi-dimensional people. Exceptional and often unusual stories to share. Could be because people with bipolar disorders, so often adventurous, tend to be high-achievers and leaders with above average intelligence. Josh's brain is more extensive than anyone I have ever met. I could spend hours listening to him talk about things he's done in life. I love picking his brain and feeling the adrenaline rush of his adventures. Josh is unique, spontaneous, curious, intense, insightful, empathetic, and compassionate. Above all, Josh is courageous. He is brave and inspiring. I could not imagine him any other way.

There is a reason that individuals with bipolar disorder tend to become successful in life. I find this fascinating. I've researched and learned so much from simply falling in love with Josh. A doctor, Terence Ketter, MD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and a study co-author, said he became interested in the link between mental illness and creativity after noticing that patients who came through the bipolar clinic, despite having problems, were extraordinarily bright, motivated people who "tended to lead interesting lives."

There are many people in our Hollywood society that we idolize and guess what... these creative geniuses—you guessed it!—have Bipolar Personality Disorder. Here's just a small list of some great celebrities who have been diagnosed and used their creativity to cope with their mental illness; Demi Lovato — pop artist and actress. Vincent van Gogh — yup that's right the famous "Starry Nights" artist. Virginia Wolff — a Twentieth-century English novelist and essayist. Even the ever so famous Film Producer, Model, Actor, Singer, Showgirl — Marilyn Monroe!

BPD is extraordinary. These individuals are bright and rich in personality. I may be slightly biased with my relationship going as well as it has. I fully believe that you have to have a particular personality in order to be the significant other needed to support someone with a mental illness. Sometimes there are sacrifices involved and not everyone is prepared to overcome some of the obstacles you may run into. That's perfectly okay. Don't damage yourself trying to be something you are not. It's just not true love. In my next chapter, I'll talk about what it takes to be a good significant other to your lover with Bipolar.

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