The new Paul Dalio film “Touched by Fire” popped up in my Facebook feed as a suggested post.  The title is from a book by the the first person to show me that someone with bipolar disorder can succeed (Kay Redfield Jamison).  It looks like a beautiful movie that could help people understand mania better.  I will probably watch from the safety of my home.  From the trailers, it looks like it could be very painful.  Having been hospitalized and tied to a table (quick piece of the trailer), I’m pretty sensitive to the idea of reliving these things through film.  I read some complaints that this romanticizes the disorder.  It looks like it represents it well.  I have hope that the director has the disorder and will provide an honest portrayal.  It cannot touch the worst offender in my opinion — Mr. Jones tragically romanticizes the disorder.  He cures himself with the love of his therapist (maybe doctor). I saw it a year after my diagnosis and have tried to forget it.  In an article in the Huffington Post, the director states that he hopes closeted sufferers will hear other people’s thoughts on bipolar disorder and come out.  I’m still very reluctant.  People seem more accepting of an artist with bipolar than an accountant. Madness can feed art, but I’ve never produced better office work when I’m manic.  Before I was diagnosed, my 4.0 exams turned into wild, meandering, nonsense.  My Mom assumed I was on drugs, which incidentally, can assist in producing art, too.  My brother is an amazing artist, and if he shares my disorder, I imagine the manic phases can drive him and open up his brain for even better works.  Depression, too, can bring out some of the most wrenching and beautiful works.  I may be sacrificing art for sanity, but returning to psychotic manias terrifies me enough to stay on the lithium.  I do enjoy art immensely.  I currently live by an art museum, which has been a dream.  I’m drawn to artists in my life, and I take great pleasure in supporting and admiring them.