I read in an article I found on line that it's highly probable that Poe had bipolar disorder. Can you provide information on this and/or what would trigger a manic episode, a depressive episode, etc.?

-- Anonymous, November 08, 2002

Answers

Interestingly, the one negative biography(Bonaparte?) that discussed Poe's psychology a la Laura Schlessinger did a hatchet job on him based on obvious emnity not objective science. Who really knows? Written sources, memories, judgments of his time are not always reliable, nor even Poe himself. Other health problems and life situations are strong culprits for his behavior. Might not be valuable case study compared to a good contemporary analysis. How about Baudelaire? He seems more genuinely afflicted, akindred spirit to Poe's and aware something was not quite right in his psyche somewhat a la Imp of the Perverse.

-- Anonymous, November 09, 2002

The National Post, a Canadian newspaper, had an article on the bipolar Poe about a year and a half ago. Accessing their archives may not be easy. The author may have been their NORMAN DOIDGE, a regular contributor.

-- Anonymous, January 01, 2003