I Am Bipolar

Bipolar Bares All! Film At 11:00!

By: ElLagarto

Written on July 12th, 2007

I'm Bipolar all right, I certainly don't make a secret of it. I wrote a memoir of Manic Depression which I continue to flog with the annoying insistence of a child tugging on a parent's pant leg. I've lectured on it at universities and medical schools. I've done readings and interviews. It's still a taboo, scary subject, and I'm doing what I can to shed light. One thing I noticed when I was writing the book is that Mania and Depression - the poles - are actually very similar. They are both flights away from reality - retreat into illusion. In both cases one refuses to engage with life, and creates false values which provide innumerable distractions. Despite the scarier aspects of Mania and Depression - they both feel comforting and safe in their way. Mania and Depression look like polar extremes, absolute opposites, but in fact they have a lot in common.

By: ElLagarto

Age: 56-60 , Male

2,255 people have read this story

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12 responses

Kpdancer

I have recently had an episode and am having a hard time getting out. I'm ashamed. My best friend doesn't understand. Reading this gave me hope, I think it takes a very brave person to be open about this disease

Jan 22
1 like
OrganicBanana

Question!

Are you on any meds...what are your thoughts on Seroquel?

Jan 17, 2011
1 like
Bipolarhubby

Okay! How does the husband have to react on the moods of his wife whom suffers from bipolar depression?

Mar 7, 2010
1 like
ElLagarto

Thank you for your interest! MOONLIT TOURS, also available on Amazon, is a wickedly funny dark comedy/social satire about 3 cabdrivers who give guided tours of their city's soft underbelly to jaded socialites. (Quirky characters abound.) -- WASHED UP, due out in 4th quarter '09, is a comedy of manners and examination of personal growth & transformation set on a backdrop of recovery. Like the other two it rides the fence between silly and serious.

Jul 17, 2009
1 like
Nyxie

Please tell us about your other books as well, Mr. McHarg!

Jul 17, 2009
1 like
ElLagarto

Thank you! Easily the nicest thing I've heard all day. Enjoy it! (I wonder if I should have called the post - Bipolar Bears All).

Jun 7, 2008
1 like
Irish76

Thank you for sharing this! I am going to order a couple of copies!

Jun 7, 2008
1 like
ElLagarto

Bless you. :-) Invisible Driving by Alistair McHarg, available from Amazon.com - 4 sample chapters at www.invisibledriving.com

Mar 20, 2008
1 like
ag123

I know I can't remember the name of the book. I wish El would tell us the name of it at least once.

Mar 20, 2008
1 like
ElLagarto

It took me a while to understand that. Rather like laughing and crying are 2 sides of the same coin.

Mar 20, 2008
1 like
ag123

That is very Zen. It's cool how you've seen how these polar opposites share a lot in common.

Mar 20, 2008
2 likes
GretaSamsa

"Retreat into illusion"--well said. I hope you will give us the chance to read more of your thoughts and experiences about bipolar.

Jul 16, 2007
1 like

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