The Rockets and Potholes of Bipolarity

(((I knew that Isabella Blow had killed herself in a fit of irrational fear, but it's interesting, and also deeply pitiful, to see her biography laid out in such intimate detail here. One sees a lot of bipolarity in the creative world. One could take out the name "Isabella Blow" and put in the name "Nancy Cunard" and it's a well-nigh identical tale. The highs are full of skyrocketing ideas, palsy charm and irresistible sexy brio, while the irregular schedules allow the hideous lows to be concealed from all except for one's intimates.)))

(((Bipolarity is the most romantic of mental disorders. It's the only one that conveys some pleasure and benefit. But it is a serious disease, it deranges and kills. Note the multi-generational toll here – it has a strong genetic aspect.)))

(((If this reads like a description of your awesome wild-girl self and your colorful family heritage, look out for yourself. You're not DOOMED DOOMED DOOMED (any more than you're the hottest thing on two legs). It's not ALL YOUR FAULT, either, because bipolarity is present to some degree or another in about three percent of the population. You have a long-term disorder and, with wisdom and self-knowledge, it is treatable.)))

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article2224237.ece
Link: Fashion victim - Times Online .

In these last years of her life, Isabella was increasingly troubled by her past. According to Detmar, she had always been “highly strung”. Her aristocratic, well-connected life of glamour and fantasy was beginning to look more like an unsuccessful attempt to flee reality. She had demons, as
Detmar called them, that she could not overcome.

Isabella had been on the front row of the catwalk shows for years, and had been influential and highly regarded as a talent spotter, as well as a muse and inspiration for young designers, stylists, photographers and models. She was now in her mid-forties and fashion was for the young. Still, it was hard to believe someone so vivid and seemingly full of life could be so unhappy. Many thought her depression was part of her “performance” and didn’t take it seriously....