message in a boot

Not only was Ludwig van Beethoven an amazing composer, who later in his life composed while deaf, but he was also a typical example of history’s many examples of creativity and Bipolar disorder. If you have ever read literature on the matter, or watched the movie Beethoven lives upstairs you would be familiar with the mood swings and great bouts of anger, this man dealt with.

While in the hospital myself, I met a young man who appeared to be not much older than myself who most likely suffered from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome because, similar to Tourette’s he suffered from repetitive behaviour that was out of his control. However, unlike many who live with Tourette’s this poor young man could not function in today’s society, even as an adult. He repeated the name Beethoven several times, rapidly and at times almost constantly. It was out of his control, just like the real Beethoven’s angry outbursts, and frustration.

Both of these individuals had their struggles, and it Beethoven was alive today he most likely would be treated with Litium Carbonate, the infamous mood stabilizer. Just as the brilliant composer overcame not only his illness, but also his deafness later in life, I hope the same for others, including myself as I continue to battle my newly evolved diagnosis.