As a psychotherapist, one of the most engaging groups of people I have gotten to meet are people diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The pain of the illness can be immense, with serious, sometimes life-threatening depressions and equally dangerous manias. Yet, it is also linked with creativity (Santosa et al., 2007) both during mood episodes and times of wellness.

The exuberance and intense fight for recovery I have seen in individuals with bipolar disorder is fierce.

Yet, there is an insidious challenge. Bipolar disorder is unique in its ability to corrupt the positive. In bipolar disorder, manic or hypomanic "highs" mimic in ways many of the joys of flow and happiness. There is a signature........

© Psychology Today