Does medicating bi-polar limit creativity?

Question

Does medicating bi-polar limit creativity?

Answer 1

Depends on the person, the meds, and how you look at it.  If someone doesn't work hard at finding the right meds that give them a regular life, then the meds can be real cognitive dulling.  It doesn't have to be that way, but the person has to be persistent even if it means changing doctors.  Personally, being wonderfully creative to distract myself from suicide is not worth the results.  Being equally creative while manic isn't worth the rest of the damage that I cause in that state.  The creativity is driven, it isn't a naturally enjoyed endeavor.  Besides, once you've lived the extremes you always have the experiences to draw upon.  The difference is that you can create with more thought and depth, productivity, and real enjoyment.

Answer 2

Only if you let it. Stay active and it won't limit creativity.

Answer 3

A lot of people with bipolar don't like taking their medication because it makes them more steady, they don't have the down effects of the depression, but they also don't have their manic effects or stages either. Some people get very creative in their manic stage, so yes, in that way medicating bipolar could limit creativity. However, most people that stay on their meds for a while realize the benefit of them, especially for bipolar.

Answer 4

I am not sure I would put it that way...However medication for bi-polar does relieve their manic episodes...at least they are suppose to....many will say that with some bi-polar that they are the most creative doing a "manic episode" so it may not come easily or often however...if you are a creative person medication will NOT take it away from you....just might not come as "easily"

The lack of the manic episodes is many bi-polars do not stay on their medications.

Answer 5

Depends on the phase of Bi-polar you are going through.

Answer 6

Occasionally a question concerning Bi-Polar disease comes into focus. Most of the time their descriptions do not fit the diagnoses. And this wastes my time and everyone else. However I'll answer a portion of the question. Bi-Polar is only depression with symptoms of manic episodes. Although not serious to the health individually there are problems concerning self-destruction..

Answer 7

Most people do notice a limit in creativity when medicated.  I know for me, i would write poetry and paint when depressed typicaly....and write prose and make jewelery when manic.  Definitly do a lot less of all when medicated.  But it was more a needed out let for the depression and for the manic energy more so i personally dont miss it so much

Answer 8

For some people, yes. However, unmedicated bipolar is often fatal, and death _really_ limits creativity.

There's a an excellent book on creativity/meds/.bipolar:

"Touched with Fire: Manic-depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament " by Kay Redfield Jamison

Her data suggests that medication on average doesn't majorly affect creativity, while it definitely improves quality of life.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Touched-Fire-Man...

Answer 9

always limited mine

Answer 10

Not at all.  I'm bipolar and have been taking lithium for about 4 years after many, many years of being diagnosed and treated for simple depression, to no avail.  The mania drove me to do really wacky stuff, and it's frankly amazing I'm still financially solvent and  healthy.  

I'm more focused, still creative, and enjoy life so much more now because I don't have to fear my own actions.