All the best artists were bipolar

Every time I read a story about somebody who does something nutty, like driving their car into a TV station demanding to talk to God, I cringe 'cause I know what's coming. I read a little bit more and sure enough, there it is- the word 'bipolar'. And then I think- fucking amateur. Giving the rest of us a bad rap, that's what he's doing.

The worst part is that people are so quick to equate bipolar disorder with violent behavior, like it's a symptom, which it's not. Good people can be bipolar and assholes can be bipolar. Manic depression does not bring out violent tendencies that were not there before, it doesn't work that way. If anything, severe depression makes you more empathetic. Google famous people with bipolar disorder and you'll get a who's who of artists, writers, performers, politicians and leaders, including non-violent icons Ghandi and Martin Luther King. Bipolar disorder is not something to be afraid of.   

I get a little nervous talking about being biploar 'cause I'm afraid I might not get hired for a job over it. People who are bipolar walk among us and you can't enjoy all of the art, music, literature and social change without enduring an occassional 3am email from a bipolar coworker. We're all in this together. 

Manic depression has gotten a bad name but it's nothing to be afraid of. Your coworker isn't a threat, he's just a little tired 'cause he was up until two o'clock in the morning making a better bagpipe.