The Incarus Project - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

twoeyez · 11-10-2005, 05:36 AM

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

Ruth6:11 · 11-10-2005, 03:49 PM

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...

twoeyez · 11-12-2005, 06:36 AM

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...

[/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.

twoeyez · 11-15-2005, 05:56 AM

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

Ruth6:11 · 11-15-2005, 07:22 PM

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!)