Are Autism and Bipolar Linked?
The other day, I was discussing an idiosyncrasy about my brain with a friend. I mentioned that unlike most people, I tend to enjoy pieces of art (music, stories, movies, you name it) if they make me feel something…regardless of whether that emotion is positive or negative.
I grabbed a sheet of paper and scrawled out a crude drawing of what I meant.
“This is how most people think, as I understand it,” I said, pointing to my drawing.
“If a piece of art is on one end of the spectrum, they hate it. If it’s on the other, they love it. Somewhere in the middle? They’re indifferent to it.”
She nodded.
“But for me, it’s a little different,” I continued. “I call it Harlow’s Horseshoe of Taste. It looks like this.”
I scribbled down another little doodle:
“So, if something makes me have a visceral reaction, even disgust, anger, etc. I’m more likely to enjoy that media. But if something makes me feel indifference…
