The "carus is for young BPs who what to still hang on to their mood swings and the creativity that the swings may provide. Sascha Altman DuBrul and Ashley McNamara are the co-founders. Many members of the Icarus Project describe themselves as artists or writers. DuBrul says he sees himself as a person who has "superpowers" that make him intensely sensitive to his environment. "I don’t take drugs every day because I’m sick," he said. "I’m taking them because they help me control my superpowers."

What are your views on bipolar disorder as a "dangerous gift" ? Does the Icarus Project have the answers, or are the member's risks too high ?

Eyestwo22

I think that anything life hands a human can have it's silver lining.
And I did check out the Icarus Project. I have to tell you that while I am a firm believer in meds (as most here realize already!) I DID truly understand the group's philosophy.

My main drawbacks are in two areas. Wouldn't you have to be independently wealthy (or solely in the successful creative areas) to live life as an untreated Bipolar? Type I in particular.
And, what about the damage to the important relationships in your life if you are going from agonizing depressions to psychotic manias and everything inbetween?

A very interesting group I must say...
:angel:

My main drawbacks are in two areas. Wouldn't you have to be independently wealthy (or solely in the successful creative areas) to live life as an untreated Bipolar? Type I in particular.
And, what about the damage to the important relationships in your life if you are going from agonizing depressions to psychotic manias and everything inbetween?

A very interesting group I must say...
:angel:[/QUOTE]


Thanks for this responce,Ruth.
Perhaps,the younger BPs (20 - 39) have found the answers to your questions by living a life that that can produce a liveable income. Or maybe they just need to experience a few episodes and find out that, with time,the risk factors are very dangerous. It must come down to "live and learn". Knowing from my experience, I "loved" my creativity,but after 5 episodes,it was time to find stability. It has been 21 years now, and I can say that my "creativity" comes from Lithium. Your past posts, Ruth, are saying the same thing,at 20 years of stability with Lithium.

You show a lot of "creativity",Ruth. :)

Since there are alot of young BPs on this Form, I would of thought that there would be more posts about this "Icarus Project".

Eyes

Hi Eyes, the board here has ebbed and flowed over the years I've been coming here. There have been months that I post rarely. Others where 2-3 people have formed a family of sorts to encourage others (& ourselves!).
Before I was diagnosed I was a rather good creative writer I was told. Short stories mainly. Journals. Poems.
I also had the catatonic depressions and psychotic manias.
It wasn't hard for me to decide between the highs and Lithium.
What did I give up? The joy of writing and parenthood.
<heavy sigh>
(Thanks, it's helped to talk to a thinker for a moment!)
:angel:

Hi Ruth :

Perhaps,it takes a "seasoned" person (with BP) who has experienced a number of episodes,to truthfully discuss the loss of their creativity once they have experienced stability. I question if all creativity is really lost. I feel that changes in life styles and,of course, behavior is the true secret to a "new" and improved,stable life.

The stoy of Ruth in the Bible is something to behold for all women. You seem to have a lot of her quilities. I'm sure you still have all of your creative abilities at the present time. Perhaps, your wisdom has changed to other areas of "giving". Oh, the Book of Ruth,in my Bible has only 4 chapters. I'm sure you can explain Ruth6:11 ? Could it be from your "creative" short stories ? ;)

Maybe this dialoge between "seasoned" BPs will promote some views from the younger BPs. Icarus Project members,where are You ? :eek:

Eyes

EYESTWO22-

Hi! :wave:

Although I haven't much knowledge of the Icarus Project and I don't consider myself "seasoned" in BP knowledge-I am in my early 30's, BP and have NO creativity anymore. I used to be an excellent artist(drawing/painting) and won a poetry contest in college. I feel differently about creativity and meds than you do. Maybe because I'm on so many-that is another thing entirely, I guess.

I think as far as living a life of "agonizing depression" and "psychotic mania" and being independently wealthy-I've been on my own in a psychotic mania, making good money-nice place to live, nice car, nice clothes, fancy friends, and expensive furnishings. I lost it all... I am now on gov't disability, making less than what some people put into a mortgage payment on their home. :(

I guess I'm not an option for the Icarus Project... :rolleyes:

I might have guessed that you would pick up on the Biblical Ruth reference!
It refers to verse 4:11 but when I got ready to sign up, it was 6:11 on my computer screen and voila - a bit obtuse but then so am I!
Also, my maternal grandmother is a Ruth - my genetic link to bipolar disorder AND my own personal Guardian:angel:

My educational level would have been so much different without the bipolar disorder. The creativity is at a lower level than it was in my twenties BL (before Lithium!) - but, once again, I wouldn't trade my sanity for my old creativity for ANYthing.
I tell myself that one can have an extremely high IQ with or without college - I tell myself that any other path would not have led me here to where I am...
But... I wish I could have managed the whole dorm/4 yr college routine.
I even missed out on my own high school graduation cap & gown ceremony because I was hospitalized (again).

I don't have the drive to put much on paper anymore. Instead I seem to have developed an almost empathic ability to read other's emotions (betazoid ala Deanna Troi if you're a Trek person) over the years. From a distance even if I know you well.
One of my friends on the relationship board has been on the receiving end of that.
Unsettling the first time.
Have you run across anything like that in yourself?
(Can't say I talk about this much in the "real" world - :cool: )
Thanks for a great thread Eyes,
Ruth
:angel:

HI Ruth 4:11

Your verse is somewhat an important requierment. Yes,women like you and (Rachel and Leah) are here on this earth to "build up the house of Isreal" You have already started this by staying stable with your BP for 20 years with Lithium. You "Go Girl" !

Looking back to what you could of done in a collage situation only comes out to be "what ifs". Where you are in life, at the present,is more important. Your high IQ is still leading you to do "different goals" with the stability of Lithium.
Yes, from a distance, we know each other well. We share and we give our "seasoned" insight and wisdom of BP stability. I am happy with what time has given me. Creativity seems different now then when I was in my 20's and 30's. Of course, then my stability was "all over the map" ! So,now I see myself as "even keel",a slow moving "sun" that just "shines" on everyone. :)

Eyes


Toby706 :

I had a chance to look up some of your past posts. Truly,you seem to be looking for that "right" med or combination of meds. The important thing is that you are looking for the goal of stability. Keep up the good job. With the proper pdoc and your hard work, you will suceed. Your only in your 30s. Your needs have changed,so has your creativity. ;)

You may not be a canidate for thr Icarus Project,however, you know that there is that creativity somewhere in your future.And "that proper stabilizer" will help you find the way :)

Eyes

Ok, so my brain is in a lithium brine: Make that Ruth 3:11!!!

"And now, my daughter, do not fear, I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townmen know that you are a woman of worth."

Whew! (At least being a woman of worth is what I try to keep in mind when I'm here to help)

Maybe this has become my creative and nurturing outlet instead of writing short stories... I find it exceedingly satisfying and fairly addictive!
Being undiagnosed and untreated from the age of 13 to 30 has given me alot of life experiences to share & understand in others. Some I'll probably never share - maybe I would have been a really boring person if I'd had a "normal" life!
Ruth
:angel:

(OK,it's) Ruth 3:11

At a "seasoned" age,Ruth,you surely are a true women of worth. This is what happens when time goes by. Giving and shareing your wisdom and knowledge about Bipolar Disorder with younger BPs. Is this what it is all about ? The creativity of giving and sharing with others

We know what Lithium can do for our lives the last 20+ years. I still seem to be waitng for those members of the Icarus Project to discuss their views of keeping creativity "alive" without stable medication. Ruth,what wasn't "normal" back years ago,with an untreated and undiagnosed life; has become a full and eventful life of stability. I read you as not a "boring" woman, but a true "woman of worth" :) :angel:

Eyes