The story of “genius” Jin Xiaoyu has gone viral. Are people with bipolar disorder really that talented?

Jin Xiaoyu's family photo when he was a child

Experts say that deliberately exaggerating the "genius disease" may mislead the public and is not conducive to the living environment of patients.

Reporter: Peng Ningling

Recently, an article titled "Our Genius Son" went viral online. In the article, a father talked about his son Jin Xiaoyu, who suffers from bipolar disorder and has translated 22 books in ten years, making him a "genius" translator.

Jin Xiaoyu and his family story sparked heated discussions among netizens. At the same time, Jin Xiaoyu's bipolar disorder also sparked discussions. What is bipolar disorder? What are its symptoms? What factors are likely to cause bipolar disorder? Is there any scientific basis for the saying that "manic-depressive people are often talented"?

Are people with manic depression often talented? The misunderstood "genius disease"

When it comes to bipolar disorder, some people call it "genius disease". Some netizens even say that in human history, many geniuses in different fields are bipolar patients.

According to the story in "Our Genius Son", Jin Xiaoyu suddenly became tired of studying in high school and his mood changed drastically. He smashed all the electrical appliances at home. Jin Xiaoyu's mother even desperately asked: "Is he crazy?" Jin Xiaoyu's father said that he took his child to several hospitals for treatment and was diagnosed with manic depression. "Xiaoyu didn't go to school, was depressed, didn't sleep at night, and even committed suicide. These are all in the depression stage; he was suspicious and blamed others for no reason, was manic and restless, and had destructive behavior, which means he has entered the manic stage."

Wang Dong, deputy chief physician of the Department of Clinical Psychology at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, explained to China News Service that the scientific name of bipolar disorder is bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a manifestation of a person entering mania and depression, and is a mental illness.

According to the introduction, bipolar disorder is different from depression, which is now frequently seen by people. "Depression may only show depressive symptoms, while bipolar disorder may show mania for a period of time and depression for another period of time. This is the essential difference between the two."

Wang Dong pointed out that depression in bipolar disorder is generally manifested as the "three lows" symptoms of slow thinking, low mood, and reduced activity, such as low mood, feeling that life is meaningless, and other low self-evaluations, and may even have suicidal thoughts. Mania is manifested as the "three highs" symptoms of racing thoughts, high emotions, and increased activity.

He gave an example, when patients are manic, sometimes their brain activity is faster, they feel smarter, their mood is higher, and they have some exaggerated delusions, thinking they can accomplish great things, etc. Therefore, people sometimes think that bipolar patients are emotionally high and energetic. "But this state may not last forever. They may be manic today and depressed tomorrow."

Regarding the saying that "manic-depressive patients are often talented", experts said that based on big data, the social skills and IQ of most people with mental illness are lower than normal levels. Therefore, the saying that "manic-depressive patients are often talented" is unfounded.

"When a patient has a manic episode, his behavior and even IQ may be extraordinary. Some people appear to be more energetic, smart, and powerful than normal people. Some may have talents in music, painting, and writing, but these are only exceptions," said Wang Dong.

What factors may lead to bipolar disorder?

Jin Xiaoyu's story has left many netizens wondering what factors may have led to Xiaoyu's illness, and whether there are family, age, gender and other population characteristics.

Wang Dong introduced that currently, the incidence rate of bipolar disorder is about 0.3%, and patients include men and women from teenagers to their fifties and sixties. There is no difference in the onset of bipolar disorder between genders and ages.

Regarding factors that easily lead to bipolar disorder, experts said that the specific pathogenesis of bipolar disorder is not clear at present. It is generally believed that mania is related to genetic factors, that is, families with a history of this disease are more likely to have manic-depressive disorders in their offspring.

Secondly, the congenital development of the brain may also have an impact. "For example, when a sperm and an egg combine, they may bring in abnormalities in the mother's brain structure during the womb or during development, thus affecting the child's development." At the same time, Wang Dong pointed out that there is no clear conclusion on this point.

Wang Dong also said that in terms of social psychology, the patient's growth environment, such as family education, school education, childhood abuse or trauma, and even the patient's own personality traits may have a certain relationship with bipolar disorder.

Can bipolar disorder be prevented and cured?

"Currently there is no good way to prevent bipolar disorder, but we can try to make targeted changes." Wang Dong gave an example. If the patient has personality defects or is accustomed to looking at the world with a negative eye, perhaps making some changes in personality will be helpful.

"The best way is to seek medical treatment in time. For example, patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder should receive medication to achieve clinical recovery."

Experts warn that bipolar disorder has a high relapse rate. "It is impossible to achieve complete clinical cure for any mental illness. We can only achieve basic symptom relief. We need to keep a calm mind."

Wang Dong stressed that most mental patients are still in a state of being "taken care of" or even marginalized. If the "genius disease" is deliberately exaggerated, it may mislead the public and is not conducive to the living environment of patients. Experts suggest that this disease should be viewed scientifically to reduce the damage to the social functions of such patients and allow them to integrate into society as much as possible.

Recently, the media visited Jin Xiaoyu's family. When facing the interview, Xiaoyu felt that he was "not a genius, but a 'painter'", because translation is like painting, the closer the better. Xiaoyu hopes to complete the translation of his father's second book, The Arcades Project, before he turns 88, and then stop working and start learning Spanish. He said that he is not a genius and needs to work hard.

Source: China News Network

Editor: Park Lina

Editor: Zhao Yifan