Two of My All-Time Favorite Bipolars

by Tom Barresi

Two of the greatest manic-depressives in recent history were: Abraham Lincoln, and Edgar Allen Poe. That politics, and writing seem to favor the bipolar mind is not in dispute; but what causes this choice of endeavor, in the chemistry of their minds, certainly is. In my view, it is not the chemical nature of the illness at all, but rather the incredible side-effects of having such a "sensitivity" as bipolar illness, in your mind, in the first place. In short, side-effects or intense hardships such as: loneliness, extreme parental rejection, and social alienation, coupled with an unimaginable, undying love, of mankind; all of which literally fuel the actions, and accomplishments of such mentally ill individuals, as these two. 

Edgar Poe for example, was loathed by his step-father. Never receiving a dime of Mr. Allen's wealth, Edgar, like many bipolars, sought relief in study. A failure at both West Point, and the University of Virginia, (due to excessive drinking, and gambling), young Edgar would spend the next 20 years of his young life, trying to sell just one piece of work.....He never did! Engaged in typical, manic behavior in Baltimore, at age 40, Poe was beaten to death outside a polling booth....trying to sell his vote again, and again for whiskey. 

In my opinion, this manic-depressive was not only the true, inventor of the modern, short story, but without a doubt, the greatest poet who ever lived. He died penniless, having never sold a poem, or a story to anyone, in his entire life; yet if one were to try and buy the original manuscript of "The Raven", today, you can rest assured,  there would not be enough money on earth to do so!

 President Lincoln, on the other hand, fits our mold easily; by taking a close look at his uneducated and very stern father, Thomas. The senior Lincoln encouraged his son to achieve nothing. So like Poe, Abe drifted off into books for relief from this intolerable, and aimless home life. How the tallest, and ugliest man in Illinois could mount a political campaign from nowhere, and become a president....is purely a manic feat. But it is his depressions from which I derive my greatest strength. To lose through disease, 3 of his 4 young, sons while in office, and still manage to become this country's most accomplished leader, is truly astounding. Yet, that is exactly what this manic-depressive did! 

I am a dreamer. And having been thrown out of every coffee shop in my home town, through stigma, (being a known newspaper writer), I often think how well I'd be received if some real famous, manic-depressives were to walk in with me one afternoon....For example, a 6'4 Lincoln, in a hat that added another 2 foot to his lanky and very noticeable, frame; Ernest Hemingway, reeking of rum, and twirling a bota bag around his neck; And Edgar, trying desperately to push his bulging eyes back into his head, hoping to prevent folks from realizing he'd been smoking opium all morning. More of these great historical figures appear in Dr. Ronald Fieve's book entitled, "Mood Swing" '89. In it he states the following about the mentally ill: 

Without them, our society would be greatly impoverished"!

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