Posted by Optimist on December 20, 2008, at 10:23:49
In reply to Re: what's the purpose of hypo-/ mania? WITHDRAW!, posted by llurpsienoodle on December 17, 2008, at 17:55:22
From an evolutionary point of view depression can be thought of as a protective mechanism to prevent risk, ensure safety, and save resources.
Depression can also trigger introspection, to help problem solving when things go badly. The period of problem solving may ultimately prevent another bad episode from reoccuring.
Many animals experience depression during the winter months aka hibernation. During periods of famine and extreme danger animals also tend to reduce movement(lethargic), and be more wary of their surroundings(anxiety), etc...
OTOH... hypomania has many adaptive advantages as well. Gathering more resources by being more active, motivated, and exploring your environment. Being more sexual which enables reproduction. Increased extraversion for leading people being the alpha male/female which may grant more sexual opportunities.
Many animals display hypomania in the spring which is where the word "spring fever" comes from. The fever/hypomania ensures the animals genes get in the next generation. A depressed person usually isn't feeling too frisky if you know what I mean. :)
The advantage of bipolarity in the animal kingdom allows for maximization of reproductive chances when "hypomanic" and subsequent saving of resources when "depressed".
Overall the selective advantages of being a bipolar animal can ensure greater fitness than a "stable" animal.
In todays modern society many great artists, scientists, politicians and business people are bipolar. Without their periods of hypomania they most likely would have never been as successful than if they were "stable".
poster:Optimist
thread:869216
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20081214/msgs/869820.html