Overview Many people living with bipolar disorder have demonstrated themselves to be highly creative. There are numerous famous artists, actors, and musicians who have bipolar disorder. These include actress and singer Demi Lovato, actor and kickboxer Jean-Claude Van Damme, and actress Catherine Zeta-Jones. Other famous people believed to have had bipolar disorder include painter Vincent Van Gogh, writer Virginia Woolf, and musician Kurt Cobain. So what does creativity have to do with bipolar disorder?

What is bipolar disorder? Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental illness that causes extreme changes in mood. Moods alternate between happy, energetic highs (mania) and sad, weary lows (depression). These shifts in mood may occur several times each week or just a couple of times a year. There are three main types of bipolar disorder. These include: Bipolar I disorder. People with bipolar I have at least one manic episode. These manic episodes may be preceded or followed by a major depressive episode, but depression isn’t required for bipolar I disorder.

People with bipolar I have at least one manic episode. These manic episodes may be preceded or followed by a major depressive episode, but depression isn’t required for bipolar I disorder. Bipolar II disorder. People with bipolar II have one or more major depressive episodes lasting at least two weeks, as well as one or more mild hypomanic episodes lasting at least four days. In hypomanic episodes, people are still excitable, energetic, and impulsive. However, the symptoms are milder than those associated with manic episodes.

People with bipolar II have one or more major depressive episodes lasting at least two weeks, as well as one or more mild hypomanic episodes lasting at least four days. In hypomanic episodes, people are still excitable, energetic, and impulsive. However, the symptoms are milder than those associated with manic episodes. Cyclothymic disorder. People with cyclothymic disorder, or cyclothymia, experience hypomanic and depressive episodes for two years or longer. The shifts in mood tend to be less severe in this form of bipolar disorder. Though there are different types of bipolar disorder, the symptoms of hypomania, mania, and depression are similar in most people. Some common symptoms include: Depression persistent feelings of extreme grief or despair

loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable

trouble concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things

anxiety or irritability

eating too much or too little

sleeping too much or too little

thinking or talking about death or suicide

attempting suicide Mania experiencing an overly happy or outgoing mood for a long period of time

severe irritability

talking quickly, rapidly transitioning different ideas during a conversation, or having racing thoughts

inability to focus

starting numerous new activities or projects

feeling very fidgety

sleeping too little or not at all

acting impulsively and partaking in dangerous behaviors Hypomania Hypomania symptoms are the same as mania symptoms, but they differ in two ways: With hypomania, shifts in mood usually aren’t severe enough to interfere significantly with a person’s ability to carry out daily activities. No psychotic symptoms occur during a hypomanic episode. During a manic episode, psychotic symptoms may include delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia. During these episodes of mania and hypomania, people often feel ambitious and inspired, which may prompt them to start a new creative endeavor.