| NAME | MESSAGE |
| Michael Keiser |
posted 11/02/04 05:04 PM Central Time (US)  contact the author directly
Last night while surfing I came across this page: -- a list of famous people with bipolar disorder. No surprise to find Rosemary Clooney there, but Bing's also listed. After all these years of being a Bing fan, I was rather surprised. Never read anything like that before. Anyone else know if that could be true or off the wall? |
| Steven Lewis |
posted 11/02/04 05:24 PM Central Time (US)  no email address given
This diagnosis will surprise a lot of us. Note the references -- or lack thereof. Without specific attribution the site says: "Many attribute some of Crosby’s extraordinary abilities to his being affected by bipolar disorder, commonly known as manic depression." We are never told who these "many" are. Obviously Bing was never formally diagnosed with such a disorder. I don't know of any evidence that would suggest such a diagnosis. Just because one accomplishes a lot in one's lifetime doesn't make one "bipolar." According to Gary Crosby, Bing didn't comprehend what it was like to be mentally ill. Otherwise, it's a nice biography of Bing. |
| Arne |
posted 11/02/04 05:52 PM Central Time (US) contact the author directly
I don't know about Bing, but according to some reliable sources, including a former wife, I believe that Lindsay was diagnosed as such. Maybe this author got his Crosbys mixed up. |
| candace scott |
posted 11/04/04 04:04 PM Central Time (US) contact the author directly
I work work with bi-polar people for a living and have for a number of years. Having been exposed to these people 40 hours a week, I can state with some authority that Bing never had bi polar disorder. His personality is entirely inconsistent with this malady. Bing never had spectacular highs, for instance. In his drinking and partying days, circa 1926-1932, he was unusually upbeat (for lack of a better word!), but this was fueled by booze, not a genetic disorder. Now Gary Crosby is another matter. Not only was he an alcoholic like his mother, he did exhibit traits consistent with a bi-polar personality. Lindsay did as well, though less is known about his personality. Bing was phlegmatic, calm and laid back for much of his adult life. Believe me, those with bi polar disorders do NOT behave in this manner. |
| Michael Keiser |
posted 11/04/04 08:37 PM Central Time (US) contact the author directly
Steven, Arne and Candace, Thanks for the responses. I never met Bing, but from all I've read over the years, bipolar disorder wasn't one of his problems. Arne, I think you have the most likely explanation. /mike |
| Henry Zecher |
posted 06/25/05 11:00 PM Central Time (US) contact the author directly
It may be that the children were bipolar because Dixie was. No one in this thread mentioned her, but she was drinking before she met and married Bing, and was an alcoholic years later. Bipolar is one of those things that is hereditary, so perhaps the boys got it from her. |