Getting involved in the fine arts on the other hand can be a lot simpler, especially for Bipolar sufferers, because you can do it on your own and in your own time, you can decide how much you spend on materials, and it's an intimate pursuit: there's no audience expectation or value judgments placed on your work - nobody else has to see what you create if you don't want them to. It's all about exploring and expressing yourself through developing a personal creative outlet.
So, as a Bipolar sufferer, how can you start using the fine arts to your advantage? Begin by experimenting with the different fine art mediums.
Try drawing, painting, etching, screen printing, or sculpture. Find one that suits you, one that you enjoy and that allows you to express yourself.It might be as simple as getting a pencil and a piece of paper and trying to draw the emotion you're feeling at a particular time, or choosing some colours (paints, pastels, crayons) and creating a colour map of your day - it's like keeping a visual diary. Your emotions, positive and negative, can be explored endlessly through colour, line, form and subject. The creative process can be used to help turn potentially negative experiences and moods into positive, productive ones. And remember, you don't have to be Da Vinci or Picasso to experience the benefits of a creative life. Most importantly, always be sure to engage in the creative process with a true spirit of exploration rather than judgment - after all you're creating art for yourself not for a judging audience. In a major study, among adults with Major Depressive Disorder, 14% were classified as not having the correct diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. While MDD and diagnosed Bipolar Disorder are recognised as having considerable negative impact on quality of life, it was found that misdiagnosed patients have significantly lower quality of life than either MDD patients or diagnosed bipolar patients.
Once you've chosen your creative medium the next step is to devote time to it on a daily or weekly basis - make it part of your life.
Set aside an hour or two each day to work on a drawing or a painting. Even a quick sketch on the back of an old receipt while you're waiting for a bus can help keep you creatively focused and give expression to emotions that you'd like to get out. Collecting these drawings in a box and looking at them later, even months later, can be rewarding "proof" of your creative achievements. This kind of regular engagement in the creative process also helps bring structure and routine into your life - both of which are vital factors in successfully negotiating the challenging ups and downs that come with having Bipolar Disorder.
By regularly producing works of art you are, in essence, documenting your life and exploring yourself and how you feel. With time and regular practice you'll see your skills as an artist improve, not just technically but also in terms of your ability to express your ideas and emotions in increasingly interesting and meaningful ways.
Creating a work of art, whether it's a small sketch or a full-scale oil on canvas painting, is an inspiring and empowering experience that can give you a great sense of achievement. Many artists who suffer from Bipolar Disorder report that being able to draw creatively on how they feel, what they're experiencing, and the ups and downs of their illness, provides them with great comfort during difficult periods, just as being able to look back on their creations - see what they've achieved and how they've developed artistically - can sometimes be enough to lift their spirits on a bad day.
As a Bipolar sufferer, having a creative outlet can enable you to relieve some of the stress that comes with the day-to-day management of your condition. And, at the same time, making positive and constructive contributions to your life by using the fine arts to your advantage can be a significant help in dealing with the ongoing challenges of Bipolar Disorder.
