Vincent Van Gogh once wrote:
"I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process."
Modern Psychologists have surmised that Vincent Van Gogh had Bi-Polar Disorder (BPD). BPD is a brain disorder that causes one's moods to swing between mania and depression. In its most severe form it can cause one to loose touch with reality.
With Van Gogh, the deterioration of his mental status is apparent in his artwork; however most will agree that his best work was done during the last years of his life. So how is it that we are often eager to classify the mentally ill as unimportant to society? Presumably many of the worlds most gifted artists and scholars were affected with BPD. On the other hand, most were sent to asylums or were left to peddle for food in the streets.
What is Bi-Polar Disorder?
People affected with BPD may swing back and forth from depression to mania on a regular basis or they may experience a "calm" or "normal" period between episodes.
Symptoms of Mania:
1. Inappropriate elation
2. Inappropriate irritability
3. Severe insomnia
4. Grandiose notions
5. Increased talking
6. Disconnected and racing thoughts
7. Increased sexual desire
8. Markedly increased energy
9. Poor judgment
10. Inappropriate social behavior
Not everyone who is depressed or manic experiences every symptom. Some people experience a few symptoms, some have many. Also, the severity of symptoms varies with individuals.
For more on BPD go to Psych-Net.com
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