Creativity and Mental Illness: The ‘Mad Genius’
The nature of the relationship between creativity and mental illness is by no means “settled science.”
For some time there has been a popular notion that creativity, especially a high degree of creativity, and mental illness have much in common. In fact, the idea that “madness” and creative “genius” are related can be traced back to some of the early Greek philosophers. In recent years, some research findings have lent some support to the notion that various types of mental conditions are linked in interesting ways to creativity and that extraordinary creativity itself might predispose some individuals to certain types of mental illness.
Posthumous examinations of the lives of many of the most celebrated but clearly “tortured” artistic and creative souls among us suggest that a disproportionate number of sculptors, painters, poets, actors, writers, and musicians may have suffered from mental conditions, especially the various types of affective disorders. The most common condition appears to be Bipolar Disorder, with periods of intense creativity typically occurring during manic or hypomanic episodes.
Research into the link between creativity and various mental conditions has yielded some very interesting results. One of the most interesting studies, conducted by Chang et. al at Stanford University School of Medicine, found that children who were at risk for developing bipolar disorder — i.e., children who had bipolar parents or who had ADHD, which is sometimes an early manifestation of later life bipolar disorder — scored significantly higher than “normal” children on a measure of artistic creativity. Peterson from the University of Toronto and colleagues from Harvard published a study in 2003 suggesting that the brains of highly creative people have low levels of “latent inhibition,” or the ability to screen out or ignore stimuli that don’t appear related to immediate needs. Such people seem to be “open” to more ideas and sensory input. Interestingly, individuals who show signs of developing mental illness, especially schizophrenia and mania, also show low levels of latent inhibition.
The ability to see the world in an unconventional manner and to adopt perspectives not commonly shared can be both a blessing and a curse. Many creative individuals find themselves outside of the mainstream of both thought and method. As a result, they can experience periods when they feel unaccepted, misunderstood, and painfully alone. It is this reality that Don McLean sought to capture in his musical tribute to Vincent Van Gogh.
The nature of the relationship between creativity and mental illness is by no means “settled science.” Many clinicians and scientific investigators claim that there is no truth whatsoever to the notions of the “mad genius” or deranged scientist. Rather, these individuals argue that mental illness can afflict anyone, including those who rise to some prominence as a result of their giftedness and the subsequent impact of that giftedness on society and history. So, it may not be that highly creative people are more prone to mental illness but merely that such people come to our attention more easily.
In her book A Brilliant Madness: Living With Manic-Depressive Illness [Amazon-US | Amazon-UK], the award-winning actress Patty Duke admitted that she knew something was not right about her for some time before she was diagnosed but believed that she was infinitely more creative and brilliant as an actor when in manic periods. However, she also noted that other, perhaps more objective, observers often didn’t seem to share the notion that she was at her creative best when manic. This kind of controversy has some parallels in the claims of popular musicians who assert that they can’t compose at their best unless they are “high.”
One of the most interesting findings related to the link between depression and a loss of vitality and creativity has to do with the positive benefits in prescribing “creative acts” as a means of helping alleviate depressive symptoms. It seems that nothing dampens the creative spirit quite like depression. As a result, one of the key ways a person might help reverse the depressive process is to deliberately plan and engage in small but distinctly creative actions.
It will be some time before we have all the answers with regard to the relationship — if any — between creativity and mental illness. In the meantime, it’s important to keep in mind that recognizing and making the most of our talents and resources depends at least to some degree on our mental frame of mind and mood. So, when we truly understand and deal with our psychological propensities, we have a much better chance of positively unleashing our creative energies.
Other articles by Dr George Simon, PhD
This article was last reviewed by Dr Greg Mulhauser, Managing Editor on Monday, 21st September 2009. You can leave a reply below.
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10th October 2009
Sanity is an assumption
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In some African languages “insanity” is described as “reluctant: the assumption is that these people are waiting for an oppertune moment to burst into song or whatever.
It reminds me of the guy who did not speak for 22 years and eventually when he did he was asked why he waited so long,to which he answered “I did’nt have anything to say”
I grew up in Africa and we often played with children who either did not speak or were in technical terms clinically insane.
However with some of wire could turn anything into a work of art, and I guess the reason we did play with them was because they were creative beyond belief…………I ask myself did they want to impress the rational or did they do whatever they did without regard for the need of approval.
The line is rather thinner drawn now and I find myself longing for those days when making a wire truck or using water as a counterweight with a clay tortoise on the other side maattered more.
I’ve gone back to Africa many times since , still see the children,now rather older sitting in the sun making drawings in the sand….and ask myself with all your qualifications and money who is happier.
To which my grandafter would respond, I think you need to ask who is happier?
oh well.
lee du ploy hong kong
20th October 2009
Of course, there’s always the possibility that “…creative individuals [who] find themselves outside of the mainstream…can experience periods when they feel unaccepted, misunderstood, and painfully alone” is nothing more than anti-social behavior of some sort. I bipolar and have Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. I’m somewhat, thought not miraculously, creative—more so than most folks but not enough to have really accomplished anything. All of this is pretty “airy-fairy” as a writing teacher used to call work that was not rooted in enough reality to be interesting or believable. So I keep trucking and hope that my creativity, if it does not produce the great American novel, will at least keep me out of mischief and having some enjoyment in success in life. Creativity that manifests itself, for example, in manic writing is not very useful. Creativity that manifests itself in writing that at least is done with an attempt to make sense can begin to be useful and enjoyable.
10th November 2009
It’s possible that because music and art seem to be good emotional outlets, mentally ill persons are not more creative but simply have more that they need to let out. I personally have suffered from mental illness for many years and do not exhibit any extraordinary creative talents. I also stayed in a psychiatric ward for a while and we discussed this topic. No one said they had any hidden creative talents. Part of our therapy was art and musical instruments but it was supposed to be a good release of emotions. So maybe the mentally ill are not genetically predisposed to creativity, but just have more to say.