When Vincent van Gogh took his life in 1890, he was only 37. He died unsung and in poverty. And despite having made more than 900 paintings, he sold only one in a short life marked by intense mental health issues.
Only after his death did his work, considered among the most beloved and recognized art ever created, become famous. Van Gogh, plagued by bouts of severe depression, anxiety and loneliness, was posthumously diagnosed as probably having a bipolar condition.
Were he alive today, the artist would be among the estimated 37 million people worldwide (according to the World Health Organization) who live with a bipolar condition. In the U.S., about 5.7 million people have bipolar disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
It’s fitting that van Gogh’s life is part of the modern bipolar story. World Bipolar Day, founded in 2014, is marked annually on March 30 – van Gogh’s birthday. It’s a day dedicated to raising awareness about the disorder and showing support for those affected.
This year’s theme, #BipolarStrong, underscores the efforts to build a sense of community and empowerment among those living with the condition, as well as challenge the social stigma around bipolar disorder.
International bipolar foundations and the collective mental healthcare industry use the annual event to draw attention to gaining assistance, resources and treatment for those living with bipolar disorder (as well as support for those who love someone with the mental health condition).
Bipolar Day is also about education: knowing the symptoms (intense mood shifts that affect energy and the ability to think clearly); episodes (cycling between euphoria and depression); and causes (rather than one single cause, it is a complex combination of genetic, biological and environmental factors). While there is no cure, it is highly manageable through medication and psychotherapy. With effective treatment, bipolar people can live productive, fulfilling, and fully functional lives. That includes maintaining stable relationships (family, friends, romantic partners), raising a family, pursuing higher education and achieving career goals.
Imagine what van Gogh’s life would have been like if he had clinical diagnosis and treatment. His genius could have taken a different artistic path. For sure, his quality of life would have improved.
No one can say. But in a contemporary time when people living with bipolar disorder are still unfairly judged and neglected, it’s easy to see why education and empathy are crucial. Food for thought, especially on World Bipolar Day.
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