Hypergraphia is an overwhelming urge to write, often caused by epilepsy or bipolar disorder. It is not considered a disorder and does not require treatment. The limbic system and temporal lobes of the brain are responsible for this urge, and some forms of epilepsy and psychological disorders can increase the risk. There is no specific treatment for hypergraphia, and some people have turned it into a career.
Hypergraphia is a term used to describe an overwhelming and often uncontrollable urge to write. This condition is believed to be caused by a variety of factors, including some forms of epilepsy, and may also be present in some who have bipolar disorder. Some families appear to have a higher rate of hypergraphia than the general public, although the exact cause of this is not clearly understood. While this condition can be burdensome for some, hypergraphia isn’t technically considered a disorder and typically doesn’t require any type of treatment.
In an effort to understand the potential causes of hypergraphia, it’s important to learn a little about the way the brain works. The urge to write is largely governed by the limbic system, the area of the brain responsible for controlling emotions and the need for communication. The temporal lobes of the brain are located behind the ears and are connected to the limbic system. Thoughts and ideas are organized by the temporal lobes, and changes in brain waves associated with this area of the brain are thought to lead to the development of hypergraphia in some people.
A type of epilepsy known as temporal lobe epilepsy is a potential cause for developing hypergraphia. This type of seizure disorder causes disruption and changes to brain waves and can contribute to the overwhelming compulsion to write. Abnormal lesions affecting the temporal lobes are often responsible for this form of epilepsy, although there may also be a genetic component because this condition sometimes seems to run in families. Temporal lobe epilepsy often involves hallucinations related to emotions, voices, or music and can range in severity from mild to severely disabling. Prescription drugs may sometimes be able to control this type of epilepsy and its associated symptoms.
Those with psychological disorders such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia may also have an increased risk of developing hypergraphia. This is especially true among those who are not receiving medical treatment for the disorder. Some forms of dementia can also be associated with hypergraphia. There is no specific treatment available for this condition and several people throughout history have turned this uncontrollable urge to write into a lucrative career. Many with this condition simply carry around a notebook and writing utensils so they can write whatever comes to mind whenever the urge to write is there.
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