Bipolar disorder

I refer to Ariadne Massa's Focus article entitled Victims Of Mood, about bipolar disorder, published on July 16.

Raising our awareness of this life threatening illness is both necessary and welcome.

However, outstanding bipolar luminaries such as "Winston Churchill, Virginia Woolf, Ernest Hemingway, Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann" among many others, are cited, thereby conveying the distinct but misleading impression that their talent prevailed despite their condition.

In fact, abundant scientific evidence suggests that a disproportionately large percentage of gifted high achievers excel in their respective fields precisely because they are bipolar.

Not only do bipolar persons require care, but society at large would greatly benefit were it to actively engage and cultivate them; and assiduously. The following submission may serve in helping others gain insight into the disquieting, unpredictable nature of this mood disorder.

It was the Bells...

For which hued mood do the bells peal?
Who can divine, see or foretell?
Is it to be reel, keel, or knell?
That ponderous pendulous swing.

What will its ring coiled spring impel?
A blue broody, or a 'do' day?
Taut fraught tension time-tolled taken, I pray:
Tell!