This week’s discussion topic was on bipolar disorder. So far we have only focused on the negative effects of bipolar disorder and finding ways to treat it. I am going to take a different perspective on the disease and hopefully shed an alternative light on mental illness.
Can you imagine a world without Beethoven’s Ode to Joy (from his ninth symphony) ringing through churches? And we can’t forget his Moonlight Sonata and the seasonal Fur Elise. Or the daunting Funeral March of his seventh symphony. This music of the late 18th century has captured the hearts every listener for centuries and possibly centuries to come. People have mixed, rearranged and borrowed from Beethoven’s work into present day. Beethoven has been featured in countless modern films such as Fantasia, Mr. Holland’s Opus, Misery, Along Came Polly, The King’s Speech and even Die Hard and Austin Powers in Goldmember. Many others are also included on this list. Even advertisement agencies also use snippets of Beethoven’s work in present day televised commercials. This demonstrates the impact of Beethoven’s musical talent as well as his legacy as his music continues to entertain us for over more than 2 centuries.
Image from: http://omahype.com/event/beethovens-ninth-2/
But, what if it never happened? What if the music inside of Beethoven was never released from his mind? What if something in Beethoven’s genetic make-up allowed him to excel in music and create the enticing melodies that have captivated the world? What if the deeply emotional and soul-filling music could not have been made because some of his inspiration was taken away? What if much of his inspiration came from something that modern people would call a “disease”? Would we have tried to cure him of the disease and have missed out on his timeless piece of music that we have used and reused since the late 18th century? Perhaps we will never know the answers to these questions. But I guess the question I’m trying to pose is: Does mental illness, and more specifically bipolar disorder, carry all negative baggage or can some good come from it? Now for those of you who do not know supposedly Beethoven had a form of bipolar disorder though it was not officially diagnosed. Beethoven went through bouts of depression and then into manic phases, in which he would compose his deepest most emotionally saturated works.
I know that many people may argue against me, but what if Beethoven’s bipolar disorder, with the creativity provided by these drastic mood swings, allowed him to compose the timeless pieces we have today? If that is the case maybe we should take note of the good that may come from some types of mental illness like bipolar disorder. There are many musicians, actors, and artists that have been “diagnosed” with bipolar such as Amy Winehouse, Sinead O’Conner, Vincent van Gogh, and Virginia Wolfe. Perhaps some their success can be attributed to bipolar. Now I’m not trying to say that bipolar makes you successful. I am just trying to play the devil’s advocate. Maybe we should shy away from the negative reputation that bipolar has and look at some of the good aspects. Bipolar disorder is not something that you should wish upon anyone, however it’srtant to keep in mind that not all parts of mental illness are completely negative.
Read more about the connection between bipolar and creativity/inspiration at:
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1726
http://www.springerlink.com/content/w68x7qp16374380x/
http://www.manic-depression.net/symptoms/creativity_symptom_of_bipolar_disorder.htm
Get more information about bipolar disorder and its timeline and discovery at:
http://www.thebalancedmind.org/learn/library/about-pediatric-bipolar-disorder-timeline-english
Learn about other famous individuals with bipolar at:
http://www.famousbipolarpeople.com/
And read more about Beethoven in modern culture at:
http://classicalmusic.about.com/od/classicalmusic101/a/aa021906_2.htm
http://classicalmusic.about.com/od/onestopbeethoven/qt/beethoven_movie.htm
I couldn’t agree more with what you wrote. I have actually been working on a research paper all weekend, using Beethoven as a case study for a mental health nursing course. After my research, I am confident that Beethoven would not have been the successful, world-famous historical musician that he is without the creative bursts of manic energy that coincide with bipolar disorder. I also feel that misfortune and depression evoke the deep emotions necessary to compose from the soul– Beethoven’s tragic experiences were like “writing gold,” if you will. It is my opinion that both the manic and depressive cycles contributed to his work. Like you said, bipolar disorder isn’t something we’d wish on anyone… but Beethoven did an amazing job playing the hand that was dealt to him.
Would you like to share thaat reasearch with me Im also writing about Bethovens mania I will be very greatful if you could help me
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I am an Indian National diagnosed with BPAD2. Well to add to you claims i can say that you are right.I would love to knoe more about that and together we can bring about a change in perspective of people towards BIPOLARITY.
As someone who has rapid cycling BPD and is an artist, you really hit it right on the head. I wouldnt necessarily want to be “cured” as it really contributes to my artwork. Its a blessing and a curse, and unfortunately most of society is blind to that. Great article