A NY Times article posted on Slashdot about efforts to develop gifted children is a very interesting issue to me. I was a fairly sharp kid and always had problems in Elementary School because teachers were not able to grasp that I was very far ahead of my classmates. Basically I’d always get in trouble because they would think I cheated or something because I did my work so quickly and I’d argue with them about it and in many cases prove them wrong in front of the whole class which just made things worse.
In particular they were not amused by me drawing sketches of animals taking dumps on my homework. What can I say.. there wasn’t a rule against it, I’d always enjoyed sketching as well as poop jokes, and it was much more amusing than doing the same homework again, so why not do it? I would /always/ have to redo everything and it was more fun drawing steamers than redoing an assignment for the 3rd time. It was SO frustrating being able to finish all of my school work for the week in a matter of hours and not have teachers believe that I was done.. so they’d make me do it again, and again, and again…
For instance, after graduating High School I received all of the various test scores, report cards, logs about me going to the principal’s office and so forth that I’d accumulated from Elementary School through High School including results from my Stanford Achievement Tests. I was looking through them and found the results from taking it in the second grade– I scored “Post High School” in all categories except for math. My math scores ranged from 8th-11th grade which is nothing to be upset about as a second grader. I remember a Psychologist coming-in and giving me IQ tests around that same time and asking me why I like to draw animals pooping and why I hated school, so that would explain that. I never did see those in my folder however. For some reason I’m thinking I’ve always thought I scored 142, but it was so long ago I don’t know for sure…
On a related note, I’ve taken a bunch of informal IQ tests online over the years and my scores have been anywhere between 142 and 156, but I think they are probably inflated and generally inaccurate (not to mention all of the various bias in them, etc), so I don’t put much if any faith in them. If I had to guess I would say that 137-142 is more accurate. Supposedly professors and researchers typically score in the 130-140 range which is an interesting point of reference for me. For example, I’ve dated a few women who were or eventually became to be academics over the years and I have generally felt like I’ve been on fairly equal mental footing with them.
Anyhow, back to my story– luckily a teacher recognized that I was not lying and took me under her wing. She later became the Principal of my Elementary school and always did her best to keep me and a few others challenged including starting a Gifted and Talented program, getting us involved in various trivia type competitions, taking us on her own dime and time to hear people speak, etc. It was really great of her and I appreciate all of her efforts to this day, though I know I gave her a lot of grief over the years. I was glad to have a friend in the Principal’s office, because I was there a lot in Elementary school…
Oh, yet another side note, it looks like she recently won an award:
“Overall, Carlyn has made a tremendous difference in education because she is continually striving to move forward, whether it be in technology or in dealing with social issues. Her foresight has been extremely beneficial to the quality of education our community has received and we are fortunate to have her in Holly.” Carolyn Yokum is being honored as the 2004 recipient of the Demont Award because she has demonstrated: high moral character, compassion for children, and has made positive contributions to education.
Yep, that sounds like her alright…
Reading the various comments about the article on Slashdot made me wonder if there were any link between IQ and mental disorders (in particular, being bipolar), and ironically enough I found that Stanford has just released a study about the relation between bipolar parents and the creativity of their children.
Many scientists believe that a relationship exists between creativity and bipolar disorder, which was formerly called manic-depressive illness and is marked by dramatic shifts in a person’s mood, energy and ability to function. Numerous studies have examined this link; several have shown that artists and writers may have two to three times more incidences of psychosis, mood disorders or suicide when compared with people in less creative professions.
In summary:
“The results of this study support an association between bipolar disease and creativity and contribute to a better understanding of possible mechanisms of transmission of creativity in families with genetic susceptibility for bipolar disease,� the researchers wrote in their paper.
Admittedly I worry about the bipolar thing sometimes as there is history in my mom’s side of the family with it which is why I’m interested and have some knowledge about the topic. I’ve left it up to a couple of close friends to let me know if I’m getting more crazy than usual in case I do need to deal with it someday though. 
But generally I find Psychology interesting and have thought about at least minoring it it before (as well as Philosophy, Math, Business, and pretty much any other major.. ha).
The first question I had after reading that a lot of the subjects were medicated, is if they still had the same abilities being that they would not be able to (in theory) reach the manic state again because of the medication. Wouldn’t you know it, they answered that:
The researchers had hypothesized that the scores of children with ADHD would differ significantly from the scores of bipolar children so they were surprised when the scores did not. Chang said this indicates that mania is not what is fueling the creativity. “The kids with ADHD who hadn’t been manic yet still had very high levels of creativity,� he said.
Interesting stuff– it’s good to see that someone is studying that, but it’s surprising to me that this is the first study I could find any reference to about this particular topic.
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Hello,
Oddly enough my mother (and most of her family) are bipolar and/or have a two page list of mental disorders, and I am going into an art college to get my Bachelors in Animation. I became interested in the topic because I am writing a midterm research paper in English 101 about the Affects of Bipolar Parents on their Children. All my life I have been told that I was “Bright” and “Gifted” and I have the earned the title “weird” which I am very proud of. I too wish to study and or obtain a degree in psychology because it intrigues me. I have found your article to be interesting and informative. Well, I must continue my research.
After reading your post I feel compelled to share my little bit of pride with you (and those who also may come across this post in the future).
I am the child of a paranoid schizophrenic and, coincidently, had been *tagged* (or labelled as my father would put it) as a gifted child in school. That was in an era when there were no such programs in school for children - at least not in public school. At the age of 21 I was diagnosed as having clinical depression and the psychiatrists I saw all agreed that the symptoms lurked way back to the age of roughly 14. At the age of 37 - following at least 24 treated depressive episodes - I was “rediagnosed” with Bipolar 2. So what, right? When my then-4 year old daughter finished preschool (having overcome a severe speech delay with flying colours) it was recommended by 3 different professionals that she enter French Immersion kindergarten because otherwise she would be bored with the regular cirriculum within a month of the beginning of the school year. By December of her kindergarten year she had met ALL the criteria for grade one entrance. She is now in French immersion grade one and her teacher is amazed that she has already met all the criteria for grade 2 entrance! (By the way, nobody in our family speaks a single word of French!) Two other school staff have strongly suggested she be put into some form of private art classes as she supposedly demonstrates drawing abilities equivalent to grade 5. Unfortunately I know nothing about drawing as my particular creative streaks run in music and poetry. Every day she asks questions I never even considered until high school - deep thought provoking rhetorical type questions. I can’t keep up!! Another interesting connection I have come across in the last few years is the potential connection between creativity and sensory issues, as my daughter has ALSO been diagnosed (or labelled or whatever you would like to call it) with Sensory Integration Dysfunction! I know they can’t typically diagnose Bipolar or Schizophrenia at such a tender age but I have many moments where I wonder how much of the sensory issues may morph into one of the above ailments as there are certainly some symptom similarities. (I do worry that her description of wind blowing on her arm hair feeling like bugs might be a precursor to hallucinations in the future - but what mother with carrying such a family heirloom wouldn’t from time to time).
Anyway, I just wanted to comment that I am intrigued by the current research with respect to links between mental illness and giftedness. I find it interesting that it is starting to look like the very ailments that at one time appeared to be indicative of cognitive delays (NOT the terminology used back then) are showing the extreme opposite! To those who ever doubted the inner workings of the mute child I say Shame On You!!! (but in MUCH more harsh terminology LOL!).
This explains a lot about my life, thanks. I can’t figure out if it’s the genetic component or I got creative from dealing with my crazy mother.
I am also a child of a bipolar parent (as well as an array of other mental disorders). I was in the gifted program in school, scoring a 138 when I took an IQ test in the 1st grade. Like others posted I am into psychology (just graduated w/ a BA psych) and am about to start grad school for counseling.
My mom was bipolar (she killed herself at the age of 34, when I was 17), and I was in the Talented & Gifted program from 2nd grade through high school.
I think that art, for me, was the perfect escape from the chaos at home. I found that I could already disasociate quite well to protect myself from my mother - and that this skill is very useful when drawing and painting.
I think that my teachers saw this, and labeled me gifted. Instead of helping me to learn to be more aware and present, it actually encouraged me to be less connected, although I did get very good and was able to study with a few very good artists.
I just wish that at some point someone had helped me learn that there is a time and place for withdrawing and being creative, and a time to be here and now. I’m working on it.
In my own family, you can see definite links between what is now recognised as Aspergers Syndrome, and being gifted. Several cousins, neices, and nephews (especially the boys) have signs of these traits in tandem.
I wish these comments went deeper into the effects of them growing up with a Bipolar parent. My sister has Biploar & at 67 finally (without telling anyone) admitted it to herself & got help. However, my Daughter (that is married with 2 kids 2 & 3 1/2), has had Bipolar since she was a teenager (is 39 now), & still denys that she is Bipolar. She says she has Anxiety & is treated for that (which is the wrong meds & doesn’t help her at all). Her manic phases are way more constant than the depression. She goes thru money like water, has filed bankruptcy & still spends money that she needs for bills. They don’t have a dime saved & live paycheck to paycheck. She listens to no one. She is a very intelligent person. She’s a critical care nurse & earns very good money, however, she (& her husband) spend money faster than they make it. Therefore, she has to work 4 & sometimes 5 twelve hour shifts to keep their heads above water & the kids are suffering from hardly seeing their mother (she works 12 hrs & only sleeps for about 4), & she is so stressed out all the time, that she & her husband argue loudly in front of the kids & she always (without realizing it), is hollering & nagging the kids. They have no structure in their lives & spend half their day in a carseat in the car going shopping. I feel so bad for them, but I can’t get thru to her, she just won’t listen. It’s affecting the kids emotionally & I’m afraid it might affect them mentally. Don’t get me wrong - she loves her children & does spend time with them, & is very loving to them, but she thinks her 3 1/2 year olds extreme tantrums & reverting back to wearing diapers, is because something is wrong with her (her daughter), instead of realizing that she is the cause of it & it’s her that needs help.
WHAT can I possibly do to get thru to her? I am at a loss & thinking of moving to another state to get away from it because I’m not able to get her to help herself & I can’t watch the emotional effects this is having on her children.
I read the findings of the Stanford study as well and found it very interesting.
Going by that and what I have seen of children of bipolar parents there is definitely a link. My mother has the condition and took her medication very sporadically when we were growing up so there was constant cycling. They say it’s a mix of nature and nurture so it’s a combination of being exposed to that and inheriting a predisposition to mental illness from my mother’s family that gave all of us high IQs.
I am grateful for this intelligence but if I could choose, I would ask for only an above average IQ and good emotional intelligence. That’s where children of bipolar parents suffer the most. Because of an emotionally imbalanced childhood they aren’t as well equipped to deal with challenges in adult life and have difficulty forming meaningful relationships. I think most of us manage and although we didn’t have these skills leaving home, have developed them to an extent ourselves in the real world.
He who want the rose must respect the thorn.
So we should all enjoy the benefits that being the child of a bipolar parent can bestow, but acknowledge the areas that may have suffered in the process and do our best to improve them.
And to Ami who left comment number 6, that’s very sad what happened when you were 17, it must have been very tough for you. I share your sentiment when you say that you’re trying not to withdraw as much, it’s something that I do too.
Best of luck to everyone
xx
Wow, cool stories all. My youngest daughter was diagnosed manic depressant with bipolar disorder at 14 years old. She was displaying some of the same behaviors as her older brother who had terminated his life and suffered from the same condition as well as a few other physco problems. So her mother and I actively sought help for her. Four years later my daughter gave birth to a wonderfully smart little boy. He is almost 4 now and is the smartest little kid I have ever been around. My wife and I raised 6 children and although all of them were of above average intelligence he appears to be way ahead of the smartest of the bunch. My wife and I have taken responsibility for raising our grandson so he gets a lot of attention from us and does have contact with his mother. It will be interesting to see if his future works out similar to the story you have shared.
I’m glad people seem to still be randomly coming across this information in this 3 year old post and finding discussion productive and useful.
From a lot of recent research, a couple of common factors that bipolar people have in common is other people in their family being bipolar (pretty obvious really), and alcoholism. I assume it’s because alcoholism is a form of self-medication?
All old news. Look, our brains were not meant for having the capabilities that we see in incredibly gifted children and adults. There is simply no reason for it in nature. As such, we can essentially find ourselves poisoned by the same brain chemistry that makes such giftedness possible. It doesn’t take much imagination to understand why. Because the mind of a genius works overtime, it can, for obvious reasons, work to the point of overkill.
I’ve learned one important thing from being bipolar, though: the way to keep yourself from burnout is NOT to suppress that manic energy. What really turns the trick is keeping in mind how delicate your central nervous system is and knowing your limits. Maintain a ruthlessly realistic outlook, and never ever allow yourself to lose your sense of objectivity. Remember: your mind is not a toy, and it’s a very difficult thing to put back together.