Don’t get me wrong, most of the feedback I receive for writing the Bipolar Burble blog and elsewhere is positive. People, mostly, appreciate what I do and how I do it.

Nevertheless, some people, not so much. Today I received this regarding my writing:

I hope this individual kills herself for writing this bullshit. Go fuck yourself you ugly bitch.

This comment never made it online, for obvious reasons, but as I’m the moderator, I see it nonetheless.

Intelligence and Bipolar Disorder

This comment was in regards to this post I wrote on the intelligence of people with bipolar disorder.

In the post, I point out that people with bipolar disorder are not, in fact, more intelligent than the average person and, actually, exhibit cognitive deficits. You can go read the post for details, but basically, people with bipolar disorder suffer from a variety of cognitive deficits which may factor into your definition of intelligence. (You’ll note that, in the article, each cognitive deficit contains a link to the source for the information. You’ll also note that I never said anything about creativity. It may be the case that people with bipolar disorder do show more creativity.)

And boy, do people take offence to that fact. There is this prevalent myth out there that people with bipolar disorder are somehow brilliant and that’s a good part of having bipolar disorder.

Um, no.

It’s Okay to Admit to the Disabilities that Come with Bipolar Disorder

Some people with bipolar disorder are brilliant and some are not – kind of like the rest of the population – and I don’t see anything wrong with saying so. I also don’t see anything wrong in admitting to cognitive deficits that have proven to exist. There’s nothing wrong with admitting to the negatives. There’s nothing wrong with admitting to the imperfections. There’s nothing wrong with admitting to the disabilities. It’s just part and parcel of having a sick brain. Why is it so wrong to claim the truth just because the truth isn’t what we would choose? And to will my suicide? Really? Seems a touch extreme.

But even if you don’t find yourself willing my death, you still may find that comments on our intelligence rub you the wrong way, and I understand that. But people, we need to get a handle on the truth because that’s the only way to successfully deal with it. If, for example, you note that memory is one of the things that is impaired (and it is) then you can take steps to counteract that, like, say, writing things down, entering appointments into your phone and so on. It’s not the end of the world to admit that you don’t remember things as well as other people. I mean, really.

People may argue that this gives other people more of a reason to discriminate against us. Well, that’s not my problem. If speaking the truth gives people an excuse to be small-minded bigots, then so be it.

The Truth about Bipolar Disorder Matters

But if we can’t admit to the truth, if we can’t deal with how things really are then we are no better than them. Because it is our job to stand up for what really is. It’s our job to stand up, claim the truth and force people to face it. And by running away or denying it, it diminishes us as a whole.

So, I certainly will not kill myself for writing about the verifiable facts. I certainly will not kill myself for saying things that are unpopular. I certainly will not kill myself simply because others have a problem with the truth. If anything, I will stand taller and I will yell louder. Because that’s just the kind of writer I am.