Bipolar Disorder in Song Lyrics Essay - 1024 Words

Songwriters write about their lives since their lyrics are a reflection of their personal experiences. Often, a coping mechanism for dealing with a problem is to bring the issue out in the open. The lead singer and song writer of alternative rock band Blue October, Justin Furstenfeld explains on a suicide prevention video that he has â€Å"battled with bipolar disorder, psychiatric tendencies as well as anxiety issues throughout much of his life and admits he self-harmed during his teenage years and has reoccurring suicidal thoughts† (Freunde fà ¼rs Leben, 2010). Many songs that he wrote are about his mental illness and problems he faced because of it. In the song X Amount of Words, Furstenfeld clearly wrote this song about his mental†¦show more content†¦Oh! (We’re recording you)† (Furstenfeld, 2005). The feeling of being watched by someone is likened to a phobia, an intense fear of someone which would be considered irrational by others. The line â€Å"I never knew you till you left me with the crying disease† suggests a failed relationship led to major depression (Furstenfeld, 2005). It is not made clear whether it was romantic interest or a family member or friend but the wording may be intended to be very general. Further proof of Furstenfeld’s trouble with relationships is stated in the lyrics â€Å"Give me recipes for sorry I’m admitting I’m wrong†, which he blames his disorder on causing rifts in his relationships (Furstenfeld, 2005). Bipolar disorder causes unusual mood changes so it would be fair to say that it is a factor. Biological Factors Furstenfeld explains that bipolar disorder is a malfunction of the brain hence the lyrics â€Å"your brain is faulty wiring† (Furstenfeld, 2005) and recognizes that there is a biological mechanism that causes the disorder. According to Butcher, Hooley, and Mineka, â€Å"cortisol levels are higher in bipolar disorder patients and evidence of mood changes are caused by abnormalities concerning the hypothalamic-pituitary thyroid axis whichShow MoreRelatedKurt Donald Cobain : The Singer Of The Grunge Band Nirvana1635 Words   |  7 PagesHoquiam, Washington, but spent most of his childhood in Aberdeen, Washington (â€Å"Kurt Cobain†, 2015). Cobain was an only child until his sister was born when he was three, dethroning him as the baby of the family. He was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder as a child, and would often hide in his closet (â€Å"Kurt Cobain†, 2015). Cobain’s parents divorced when he was nine years old, after experien cing their fighting throughout his early childhood. When his father remarried, he began pulling away from himRead MoreMusic Is A Huge Part Of Our Everyday Life882 Words   |  4 Pagesexperiences with loved ones, friends, and random acquaintances. 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