Inspiration and Bipolar Disorder: Unveiling the Creative Connection

Creative inspiration has been linked with people at risk of developing bipolar disorder for the first time in a study led by Lancaster University.

For generations, artists, musicians, poets, and writers have described their personal experiences of mania and depression, highlighting a unique association between creativity and bipolar disorder. These accounts have long suggested a connection between creative expression and mental health challenges.

Recent research has supported these experiences, revealing a link between creativity and bipolar disorder. However, until now, researchers have not thoroughly explored the specific relationship between inspiration—defined as the generation of ideas that form the basis of creative work—and bipolar disorder.

This gap in research highlights the need for a deeper understanding of how inspiration relates to bipolar disorder. By examining this connection, researchers aim to shed light on the role of inspiration in the context of mental health.

New research by Professor Steven Jones and Dr. Alyson Dodd of Lancaster University, and Dr. June Gruber at Yale University, has shown that people at higher risk for developing bipolar disorder consistently report stronger experiences of creative inspiration than those at lower risk.

The paper ‘Development and Validation of a New Multidimensional Measure of Inspiration: Associations with Risk for Bipolar Disorder,’ published in PLOS One this week, found a specific link between those people who found their source of inspiration within themselves and risk for bipolar disorder. Moreover, this study highlights the relevance of self-generated inspiration in understanding bipolar risk.

Professor Jones, co-director of Lancaster University’s Spectrum Centre, said: “Self-generated inspiration linked with a strong drive for success most relates to bipolar vulnerability.”

Exploring the Creative Link: How Inspiration and Bipolar Risk Intersect in New Research

Understanding inspiration is crucial because it drives creativity, which closely links to mental health issues like bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder highly value creativity as a positive aspect of their condition. This is relevant for clinicians, as bipolar patients may resist treatments that threaten their creativity.

The study recruited 835 undergraduates from Yale and Lancaster University to complete online questionnaires.

They completed the Hypomanic Personality Scale (HPS), a validated 48-item measure of episodic emotional, behavioral, and energy shifts.

They completed a new questionnaire exploring beliefs about inspiration sources: self, others, or the wider environment. Specifically, this measure is called the EISI (External and Internal Sources of Inspiration) measure.

Students at higher risk for bipolar disorder reported significantly higher levels of self-generated inspiration compared to others.

Clarifying the Connection: Further Research Needed on Inspiration, Bipolar Risk, and Creativity

Researchers note that although the pattern between inspiration and bipolar risk was consistent, the effect sizes were relatively modest. This indicates a link between inspiration and bipolar risk, but we need to explore other variables for a fuller understanding.

To get a fuller picture, researchers must study individuals with a clinical bipolar diagnosis for deeper insights. This will clarify how inspiration and bipolar risk connect, providing deeper insights into creativity’s role in mental health.

Currently, the research team is inviting UK-based individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder to participate in an online survey. This survey aims to explore the associations between inspiration, mood, and recovery in greater detail.