15 People Share What Bipolar Fuels Their Passion For

When we talk about what it means to live with bipolar, to be a person with bipolar, it’s too easy to find one-demential, bleak views that focus on the negative — rather than talking about what it means to be bipolar as a whole.

• What is Bipolar disorder?

When Paul Dalio, director of “Touched With Fire,” told his story to the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF), he said the narrative he was told about bipolar when he was first diagnosed made him feel as though he would just be able to get by. “But the human spirit needs more than pity,” he said at the IBPF Luncheon.

To help change the narrative about what it means to have bipolar, and in honor of World Bipolar Day on March 30, IBPF is asking people to share what bipolar fuels their passion for. You can join in the conversation by submitting your answer here and by using the hashtag #bipolarfuelsmypassion4.

Here are some of the answers they’ve gotten so far:

1. “It fuels my passion to make the world a better place. Your tomorrows are finite. Be the change today.” — N.M.W.

2. “Helping people bipolar/ADD.” — Janice G.

3. “To create new things, to explore the world and to get to know others better.” — André W.

4. “Well, I guess I’m myself because of bipolar — bipolar only fuels my passion for myself to be the best me I can be.” — Sarah R.

#MyBipolarFuelsMypassion4 #writing. I am #Creative, #Strong, and #Resilient. #IAmNotMyIllness #WorldBipolarDay @intlbipolar pic.twitter.com/x5ZtzOPGw6

— CJ Spammer (@CJSpammer) March 16, 2017

5. “Bipolar has fueled my passion to paint abstracts in encaustic wax and acrylic. It has made me more understanding and kind to other people. I have learned about myself too.” — Rita H.

6. “Creating my ‘Bipolar Me’ blog and writing in it every week.” — Janet C.

7. “Helping other people with bipolar! Get rid of the stigma!” — Brenda C.

8. “Writing!” — Kathryn D.

9.

#MyBipolarFuelsMyPassion4 helping others. I work in the medical field and know everyone needs a little help sometimes. ❤️????????????????❤️

— ????????Shelli???????? (@KevinsBebe) March 27, 2017

10. “I’m a composer, artist, and musician, and the bipolar side of my schizoaffective disorder definitely assists in the creative process. The lows of depression usually create an idea or feeling from which I can draw creative perspective, and the highs of mania help me to see the idea through. Sure, bipolar disorder is tough, but I may as well make something out of it!” — Charlie S.

11. “Bipolar fuels my passion to understand my illness and my parents illnesses better so I can do whatever I can to help them. It also gives me the motivation to create my art which hopefully one day I can support myself on after college.” — Angie B.

12. “My bipolar fuels my passion for motorcycling.” — Angela R.

13. “It fuels my creativity.” — Christan A.

14. “It fuels my passion for music. Nothing tastes as good as music makes me feel.” — Becca G.

15. “Mental health care! I never knew how important it was before it was crucial for me.” — Katy I.

What would you add?

Thinkstock photo via jakkapan21