Bipolar character in books

Question

I go to a tharapudic school and I'm bipolar so we have to find similar character with the same illness and how we relate to them

Answer 1

Hi Heather--

 

Although it's never stated in the books, I believe you might make a case for Harry Potter being bipolar. It's possible that the mood swings and visions he experiences due to his Voldemort encounters are a metaphor for him suffering bipolar disorder.

 

J.K. Rowling herself has talked a lot about bipolar, as well as dissociative identity and other disorders, although she hasn't said "this character is this..."

 

But think about Harry's anxieties and frustrations, coupled with his courage and confidence. Are things like the dementors and Harry's fear of legilimancy/mind-reading, as paired against his leadership and quick wit, in line with some aspects of bipolar disorder?

 

I phrase these as questions because I don't know, lol. It's possible that I am completely off base here, and/or that my ideas may be unwelcome. For that possibility, I do apologize.

 

At any rate, good luck with this. It's an awesome topic, and I'd love to hear what you think, as well as other tutors.

 

Thanks,

 

Matt H., Ossining NY, just down the Taconic Parkway from you :-)