Imagine you’re a hawk, soaring in the mountains, diving at an exhilarating 120 miles per hour to catch prey; every meal is a victory. One day, you end up under an oil-polluted ocean, your wings drenched in black gold, unable to fly. Eventually, you reach the beach, longing for better days. Rain falls, cleansing your feathers. Then, it’s sunny again, and you can sense the freedom of the skies, with tranquility and joy.
This metaphor illustrates the life of someone with Bipolar disorder, a condition where individuals might get euphoric, talkative, and edgy - with correspondent behaviors involving risk. Followed by mood lows; oversleeping, feeling unworthy, and with an absence of joy (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
Sherlock Holmes, from the BBC series, exhibits symptoms of Bipolar Disorder. Upon meeting Watson, he’s portrayed as edgy, reacting radically to emails, his elevated mood is noticeable and comes strong to him saying they should live together. He deducts intricate things about Watson’s life, talking about them. Furthermore, what's fascinating is that Holmes has created a position in the labor market that didn’t exist: “Consultor Detective'', denoting leadership, and excelling at his job.
(Art by iamtabbychan)
A study from Oregon State University reveals Bipolar Disorder is a particularly good medical condition to have in professions that involve creativity; to the extent that individuals outperform those without it . This advantage outweighs any difficulties that employers face when hiring them, such as absenteeism and low productivity during their depressive episodes (Horton, Grosskopf, & Yang 2010).
West (2023) suggests that ideal jobs for people with Bipolar disorder should be flexible in their schedules and have relaxed environments. Gillette (2022), mentions creativity and resilience. This points the following examples:
- Web designer
- Writer
- Accountant
- Interior Designer
- Musician
- Online tutor
- Graphic Designer
- Librarian
- Yoga/Meditation Instructor
While bipolar disorder presents challenges, it can also unlock significant potential for both employees and employers in the creative industry. Hence, it is critical to design job conditions that cater to the distinctive needs of those with bipolar disorder, leveraging their unique strengths.
REFERENCE:
Carol Horton Tremblay , Shawna Grosskopf, Ke Yang (2010). Brainstorm: Occupational choice, bipolar illness and creativity. Economics and Human Biologogy. https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/sites/liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/files/economics/pdf/faculty/tremblay-carol/tremblay_c_-_brainstorm_article.pdf
Ryan, M. (2018). The Complicated Mind of Sherlock Holmes. Journal of Beginning Student Writing, 4(2), 4. https://ecommons.udayton.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1212&context=lxl
Job Ideas For People Living with Bipolar Disorder. (2022, September 12). Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/bipolar/jobs-for-bipolar-disorder#best-job-ideas-for-bipolar-disorder
Best and worst jobs for people with bipolar disorder. (2022, March 31). Www.medicalnewstoday.com. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/jobs-for-people-with-bipolar
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
How Fast Can A Hawk Fly? Maximum Speed & Ordinary Flight. (2022, January 16). https://misfitanimals.com/hawks/how-fast-can-a-hawk-fly/
AUTHOR: FERNANDO IBERRI
Fernando Iberri is a writer with a focus on philosophy, psychology, health and wellness, and technology. His recent article, "Sherlock Holmes and Bipolar Disorder: What Employers Can Learn from BBC's Iconic Detective," showcases his distinctive and engaging approach to mental health. Fernando is committed to crafting captivating and inventive content, leveraging his expertise to bring fresh perspectives to each project.
