[lexicalscope]

Anecdotally, many people I know who also have bipolar disorder (I have bipolar II) are also successful and by most measures very intelligent. It would be interesting to see a comparison of rates of bipolar individuals by industry - of course this is hampered by the fact most people aren't open about being bipolar because of the stigma around it :).

[danieltillett]

The people who get the biggest advantage are those that are just manic the whole time. Just like there are some people who are only depressed, there are some people who are only manic. Of course these people don't complain about mental illness so they are not so well studied.

[ececconi]

The problem with being manic for months on end is that the initial exuberance and excitement has a way of turning into paranoia and anxiety. I'm not exactly sure how it happens, but it does.

[lexicalscope]

It's weird like that. It's like at first the thoughts move wonderfully, like you're in the flow you get programming, but all the time. Then they move faster, and faster, and faster, and suddenly your brain is more chaos than anything.

But it still beats the depression :)

[ececconi]

Oh for sure. Depression is seriously the worst thing ever.

[lexicalscope]

Mania is not something you want to experience daily, or on a routine basis. It is not fun. It is _powerful_. It is being absolutely certain of everything you are, everything you think, everything you know. It is knowing that everything you do is right, and everyone else is wrong. It's having a sex drive turned to a thousand. It's feeling paranoid eventually.

Yes, there is increased productivity, but the cost is a lot higher than you expect. The messed up thing is you crave it when you lose it - because the certainty is really super addictive.

What I think you're actually referring to is not mania or hypomania - it's called hyperthymia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperthymic_temperament

It's similar in some ways to hypomania, but different in others.

For one last point of reference, here's a hypomanic episode for me:

Everything in the world is great. Everything in the world is really great. Productivity for a day or two Holy shit, I'm so smart, everyone else is less smart than me! Productivity that is more random Oh my god, I can't believe how smart I am and how pathetic the rest of these people are. Productivity is super random, starting to be unproductive The most logical conclusion is that I'm probably god, like, I really do believe that, that seems very logical right now. Productivity goes away.

[blueflow]

How does it feel like? Since my depressive episodes (approx. every 7 to 10 weeks) are usually short and don't affect my outside live much, i never felt the need to seek medical help. Is it still worth checking?

[danieltillett]

The rule of thumb is if you have any condition that you have experienced multiple times without the need for medical help then you don’t need medical help.

I have an appendix that flares up every few years and I leave it alone. I have a pain threshold that I have set that if I exceed I will go to the hospital, but if it stays below this level then I just watch and wait. I have no desire to be cut open unless I need to be. So far this has worked out well :)

[lexicalscope]

As long as it isn't actually getting worse I would agree. If it gets worse, you should get help (in your case as well :P).

[lexicalscope]

You may have a less severe variant of bipolar disorder - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclothymia. If it doesn't impact your life though, it isn't a pathology, it's probably fine. If it starts to seriously impact your life, then you should look into it I'd say.

The most important thing is keeping you healthy and okay. If you're healthy and okay, then that's wonderful.

One thing I will note, over time, monitor if it gets worse, and be vigilant as hell - it can develop depending on your age and over time, so just watch out. I'd even go so far as to ask someone, preferably someone in your family you don't see more than once or twice a year, to say if they notice a behavioral change in you, just as a backstop in case.

For reference, what finally got me to get help was very serious thoughts of suicide and a hypomanic episode where I quite literally thought I was god.

[nitrogen]

I would say if you aren't sure about any medical issue, then get it checked, but don't worry (and don't worry about worrying :-)).

[danieltillett]

Yes I know. I have a pain threshold which if I exceed I will be off to the hospital. So far it has worked out ok :)