They would be constantly vigilant and unpredictable to someone unfamiliar with that particular trait. When wandering you might only have yourself as a reference so they would be a counter to that

> They would be constantly vigilant

If they've even lived long enough, no absolutely not. Unless you think someone who is routinely depressed is 'vigilant'.

[Hypo]mania is not the primary state of a bipolar patient. Can't speak to schizophrenia, but for those I've seen with that illness, functioning isn't their primary state, either.

Mania, maybe, but not depression. It clouds the mind and saps motivation in a way that would undermine efficacy in both hunting and surprise encounters.

I dunno, high-functioning depression worked for the Japanese pretty well. Fear of death makes for a much less effective warrior in most circumstances.

I dunno, a mania in the context of a major hunt or battle could really drive a tribe, I think, both in their mania and a lack of fear of death.

"You don't know" is damn straight.

Thinking mania can be controlled like an on-off switch.

Why even bother posting?

Obviously I don't think it can be turned on-off, why would you even think that I was suggesting that? It's just easy for me to imagine these scenarios triggering mania in me whether I wanted it to or not, and I don't think I'm that unusual, that's all.

No, that's not how [hypo]mania works. You can 'imagine' all you want, but thinking that a specific scenario or time is when [hypo]mania 'lights up' is flat out incorrect.

And someone who experiences mania indicates an uncontrolled illness. Depression and mania prevent normal functioning. You seem to believe an unmedicated bipolar individual is a functional individual with some inkling of rational thought that could 'go into battle with no fear'.

If you don't know, don't post. And you don't know.

Your statements about what you know about me and my lived experiences, and my level of knowledge of those experiences, is bizarrely cruel. Please do not do this. Please don't try to silence me just because those things don't match up with your own experiences.

I don't know where you are getting the notion that I am saying that mania is rational or controllable. I was speculating based on personal experience around high stress situations. I do not understand why you are choosing to attack the notion that there could be evolutionarily advantageous benefits conferred upon the group.

Edit: we agree that I am speculating. I disagree with you that I have no right to speculate

Your speculation is what is wrong with forums. It's misinformation that will be re-quoted time and time again.

A lot of famous entrepreneurs could have been bipolar. Steve Jobs is often discussed as one potential example.

They might make a great distraction for the enemy army while the real warriors flank round the back...

but more likely to be "heoric" in dire scenarios, which I think is the point parent comment is trying to make

why?

I know both pretty well, indirectly or not. Given how much they can influence your energy and "will to live" I don't think they'd pair well with having to fight for your life.