The bipolarity of Alberto Santos-Dumont: flights and falls of the “Father of Aviation”

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: Discussing the psychiatric diagnosis of Alberto Santos-Dumont, considered in Brazil to be the inventor of the airplane, who was admitted to psychiatric institutions several times and committed suicide. Methods: A narrative review was carried out on the psychopathological manifestations he presented, based on some of the most important biographies about the aviator. No scientific article on the topic was found. Results: Depressive episodes were well characterized. Behavioral changes that suggest manic episodes have also been reported. Conclusion: He probably suffered from bipolar disorder.

Keywords

• Santos-Dumont
• biography
• history of psychiatry
• bipolar disorder