Mood Disorders and Suicide 223
have examined the relationship between bipolar disorder and creativity by asking
supposedly “blind” raters to assess various creative works, which included those
of famous creative geniuses. However, the raters may have known whose works
they were assessing, which would have biased their ratings (Richards et al., 1988;
Rothenberg, 2001).
In contrast to the view of Jamison and her colleagues that mania enhances cre-ativity, others have claimed that mental illness may be independent of creativity
(Richards et al., 1988; Rothenberg, 2001). One study compared the creativity of
people with bipolar disorder to the creativity of: (1) people who had a psychological
disorder that was not a mood disorder; and, (2) people who did not have any psy-
chological disorder. Bipolar disorder did not confer a creative advantage (Richards
et al., 1988).
Cyclothymic Disorder
Just as dysthymia is a more chronic but less intense version of MDD, cyclothymia
is a more chronic but less intense version of bipolar II disorder. The main feature
ofcyclothymic disorder is a chronic, fl uctuating mood disturbance with numer-
ous periods of hypomanic symptoms and numerous periods of depressive symp-
toms that do not meet the criteria for an MDE (see Table 6.10). Cyclothymia
has a lifetime prevalence of 0.4–1.0% and affects men and women equally often
(American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Some people may function particularly
well during the hypomanic periods of cyclothymic disorder, but be impaired dur-
ing depressive periods; this diagnosis is given only if the individual’s depressed
mood leads him or her to be distressed or impaired. Thus, someone with cy-
clothymic disorder may feel really upbeat and energetic when hypomanic and
begin several projects at work or volunteer to complete projects ahead of sched-
ule. However, when having symptoms of depression, he or she may have some
diffi culty concentrating or mustering the energy to work on the projects, and so
fall behind on the deadlines.
Are people with bipolar disorders more creative?
Although actress, author, and screenwriter
Carrie Fisher has a bipolar disorder, many people
with such a disorder are not exceptionally cre-
ative, and many creative people do not have
such a disorder. Research suggests that the two
variables—the presence of bipolar disorder and
creativity—may be unrelated (Rothenberg, 2001).Getty ImagesCyclothymic disorder
A mood disorder characterized by chronic,
fl uctuating mood disturbance with numerous
periods of hypomanic symptoms and
numerous periods of depressive symptoms
that do not meet the criteria for an MDE.Table 6.10 • DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic Criteria for Cyclothymic Disorder
A. For at least 2 years, the presence of numerous periods with hypomanic symptoms and numer-
ous periods with depressive symptoms that do not meet criteria for a major depressive episode.
Note: In children and adolescents, the duration must be at least 1 year.B. During the above 2-year period (1 year in children and adolescents), the person has not been
without the symptoms in Criterion A for more than 2 months at a time.C. No major depressive episode, manic episode, or mixed episode has been present during the
fi rst 2 years of the disturbance.
Note: After the initial 2 years (1 year in children and adolescents) of cyclothymic disorder, there
may be superimposed manic or mixed episodes (in which case both bipolar I disorder and cyclo-
thymic disorder may be diagnosed) or major depressive episodes (in which case both bipolar II
disorder and cyclothymic disorder may be diagnosed).D. The symptoms in Criterion A are not better accounted for by schizoaffective disorder and are
not superimposed on schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, delusional disorder, or psychotic
disorder not otherwise specifi ed [all these disorders are discussed in Chapter 12].E. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of
abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism).F. The symptoms cause clinically signifi cant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or
other important areas of functioning.
Source: Reprinted with permission from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition,
Text Revision, (Copyright 2002) American Psychiatric Association.