by Monica Kennedy
Member since:
November 30, 2005

Mental Illness and Creativity - What's Up With That?

July 30, 2007 04:59 PM EDT (Updated: May 22, 2008 12:24 AM EDT)
views: 564 | rating: 10/10 (25 votes) | comments: 39

I have a theory that to be a truly good writer, you have to have at least a little mental illness: it allows writers to see all the spectrums we write about.  Now, I am not saying that all writers and other creative people are crazy, I am only implying that having a touch of insanity (some more than others) seems to lend itself to a lot of creativity.  Many of the great writers of the past had mental illness; Ernest Hemingway, Sylvia Plath, and Edgar Allen Poe just to name a few. 

Studies have shown that bipolar tendencies range high in creative people.  Why is this?  I'm not sure why, but I do know that thanks to the bipolar swings in mood, we have so many greatly treasured works.  I once heard that Robin Williams, who is bipolar as well, would wait for a down swing in his mood to more effectively perform sad scenes. 

As creative artists, those of us who endure mental illness can learn to harness it and use it to our benefit.  I say our, because I am bipolar II, a milder form of bipolar without the extreme mania, and I am a writer.   I have traversed the range of emotions, and because of this, I believe I can have greater empathy and understanding to effectively create life-like characters. 

Don't think there are many bipolar famous people?  Here's a sample listing taken from MentalHealthToday.com:

 

Actors & Actresses

Ned Beatty
Maurice Bernard, soap opera
Jeremy Brett
Jim Carey
Lisa Nicole Carson
Rosemary Clooney, singer
Lindsay Crosby
Eric Douglas
Robert Downey Jr.
Patty Duke
Carrie Fisher
Connie Francis, singer and actress
Shecky Greene, comedian
Linda Hamilton
Moss Hart, actor, director, playright
Mariette Hartley
Margot Kidder
Vivien Leigh
Kevin McDonald, comedian
Kristy McNichols
Burgess Meredith, actor, director
Spike Milligan, actor, writer
Spike Mulligan, comic actor and writer
Nicola Pagett
Ben Stiller, actor, director, writer
David Strickland
Lili Taylor
Tracy Ullman
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Robin Williams
Jonathon Winters, comedian

Artists

Alvin Alley, dancer, choreogapher
Ludwig Von Beethoven
Tim Burton, artist, director
Francis Ford Coppola, director
George Fredrick Handel, composer
Bill Lichtenstein, producer
Joshua Logan, broadway director, producer
Vincent Van Gogh, painter
Gustav Mahier, composer
Francesco Scavullo, artist, photographer
Robert Schumann, composer
Don Simpson, movie producer
Norman Wexler, screenwriter, playwright

Entrepreneurs

Robert Campeau
Pierre Peladeau
Heinz C. Prechter
Ted Turner, media giant

Financiers

John Mulheren
Murray Pezim

Miscellaneous

Buzz Aldrin, astronaut
Clifford Beers, humanitarian
Garnet Coleman, legislator (Texas)
Larry Flynt, publisher and activist
Kit Gingrich, Newt's mom
Phil Graham, owner of Washington Post
Peter Gregg, team owner and manager, race car driver
Susan Panico (Susan Dime-Meenan), business executive
Sol Wachtier, former New York State Chief Judge

Musicians

Ludwig van Beethoven, composer
Alohe Jean Burke, musician, vocalist
Rosemary Clooney, singer
DMX Earl Simmons, rapper and actor
Ray Davies
Lenny Dee
Gaetano Donizetti, opera singer
Peter Gabriel
Jimi Hendrix
Kristen Hersh (Throwing Muses)
Phyllis Hyman
Jack Irons
Daniel Johnston
Otto Klemperer, musician, conductor
Oscar Levant, pianist, composer, television
Phil Ochs, musician, political activist, poet
John Ogden, composer, musician
Jaco Pastorius
Charley Pride
Mac Rebennack (Dr. John)
Jeannie C. Riley
Alys Robi, vocalist in Canada
Axl Rose
Nick Traina
Del Shannon
Phil Spector, musician and producer
Sting, Gordon Sumner, musician, composer
Tom Waits, musician, composer
Brian Wilson, musician, composer, arranger
Townes Van Zandt, musician, composer

Poets

John Berryman
C.E. Chaffin, writer, poet
Hart Crane
Randall Jarrell
Jane Kenyon
Robert Lowell
Sylvia Plath
Robert Schumann
Delmore Schwartz

Political

Robert Boorstin, special assistant to President Clinton
L. Brent Bozell, political scientist, attorney, writer
Bob Bullock, ex secretary of state, state comptroller and lieutenant governer 
Winston Churchill
Kitty Dukasis, former First Lady of Massachusetts
Thomas Eagleton, lawyer, former U.S. Senator
Lynne Rivers, U.S. Congress
Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States

Scholars

John Strugnell, biblical scholar

Scientists

Karl Paul Link, chemist
Dimitri Mihalas

Sports

Shelley Beattie, bodybuilding, sailing
John Daly, golf
Muffin Spencer-Devlin, pro golf
Ilie Nastase, tennis
Jimmy Piersail, baseball player, Boston Red Sox, sports announcer
Barret Robbins, football
Wyatt Sexton, football
Alonzo Spellman, football
Darryl Strawberry, baseball
Dimitrius Underwood, football
Luther Wright, basketball
Bert Yancey, athlete

TV & Radio

Dick Cavett
Jay Marvin, radio, writer
Jane Pauley

Writers

Louis Althusser, philosopher, writer
Honors de Balzac
Art Buchwald, writer, humorist
Neal Cassady
Patricia Cornwell
Margot  Early
Kaye Gibbons
Johann Goethe
Graham Greene
Abbie Hoffman, writer, political activist
Kay Redfield Jamison, writer, psychologist

Monica Zenberg, Gather Author and soon to be published novelist (okay I am not really on their list but should be since I am bipolar and a writer.  One day I will be nationally known!)
 Peter Nolan Lawrence
Frances Lear, writer, editor, women's rights activist
Rika Lesser, writer, translator
Kate Millet
Robert Munsch
Margo Orum
Edgar Allen Poe
Theodore Roethke
Lori Schiller, writer, educator
Frances Sherwood
Scott Simmie, writer, journalist
August Strindberg
Mark Twain
Joseph Vasquez, writer, movie director
Mark Vonnegut, doctor, writer
Sol Wachtler, writer, judge
Mary Jane Ward
Virginia Woolf

 

Imagine the world without the works of those on that list.  No Tom Sawyer.  No Beethoven's Fifth.  No Starry Night, No The Red Suitcase (Okay, I know it is not a classic yet - but one day - who knows??? - it's by me, FYI lol).  I guess there are a few things we can be thankful for when it comes to mental illness.  I would love for these people to have the creativity without the pain, but as a writer who is also bipolar II, I can say it is worth it for me.  Mental illness does not equal weakness.  In fact, I think most who suffer from it are the strongest people ever.  The average person would crumble under such strain.  The fact that we seek treatment and continue to contribute to the world is amazing.  And look what the world has gotten from people with mental illness! 

What's up with the link between mental illness and creativity?  I have a bit of an idea, as I have expressed here.  Mainly I am thankful for it, for the creativity and insight it has given me, and for the positive treasures it has brought to the world.

link to this page
Bookmark this post:
Facebook
Twitter
Delicious
Buzz
More

Comments: 39

Part of the role mental illness plays in creativity to me is the sense of fantasy and the ability to be present in the fantasy.
What do you think?
Alison H. Jul 30, 2007, 5:10pm EDT
Yes, it's an interesting connection. Kaye Redfield Jamison addressed this topic in her book, Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament. I myself wonder if gluten intolerance/celiac disease could be one of the possible causes, although I don't know if this has been addressed. Celiac can affect the brain and nervous system in many ways. www.celiac.com has a lot of articles.
Monica Kennedy Jul 30, 2007, 5:11pm EDT
I agree Sara - I think many with mental illness seek fantasy to ease the pains of reality. I even think fantasy can be helpful in treating mental illness. I have written a few prose poems in a series called The Safe Place. Check the link for how and why I started the series. In this series I utilize the senses and fantasy to create a soothing reading experience that can be used to help ease anxiety and fear. I would love to work on this more and need to get back to writing more in the series. I would like to see it become a book some day.
flit . Jul 30, 2007, 5:12pm EDT
that's quite the list.... and I'm sure their failure to include you was just an oversight

I know, Sara, back to work *sigh*
Monica Kennedy Jul 30, 2007, 5:15pm EDT
Alison, the causes of mental illness are intriguing. I have often wondered if my bipolar II is actually hormonal difficiencies related to my polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Others have expressed that caffeine is the culprit and have found success by eliminating it from their diets. The brain is fascinating and much is unknown. I look forward to studying more on this topic as I take classes in abnormal psychology and the psychology of personality this semester at ETSU.
Monica Kennedy Jul 30, 2007, 5:16pm EDT
lol Flit - thanks
Peter Joseph Swanson Jul 30, 2007, 5:25pm EDT
I always thought it was a little crowded in my head. But they're all me - so it's okay.

When one comes in that isn't me then I'll get a tad worried.

Now if you don't mind, I'm going to go be Mary Poppins now.
Monica Kennedy Jul 30, 2007, 5:25pm EDT
lol Simon. Some ofthe worlds I create I would rather stay away from, but many I would love to visit (or perhaps take up permanent residence in). I know for me, creativity is very much so self therapy, and I am more creative when I am in a down cycle. It is odd, but true for me. I think it is an escape!
Monica Kennedy Jul 30, 2007, 5:28pm EDT
LOL Peter - Mary Poppins could be fun! I'll take being a non-descript wealthy woman who is being fawned over by a handsome, talented, and loving man. Whoever wakes me from this dream better have a good reason. I am being spoiled!
Diana B. Jul 30, 2007, 5:30pm EDT
The role of mental illness as far as creativity can be described as the characterisitcs that allows some people an easy time to construct/create new entities and or concepts.

In the case of bipolar people, the mood swings and range of emotions they experience is beneficial in creating and describing the characters they are writing about from various angles that allows the reader to escape or experience (if for a moment or two) what the character(s) are doing, feeling and get you involved with the story.

I never knew so many people had some type of mental illness. I think just as long as a person has it under control, but is still able to harness the creativity aspect then it could be considered a positive attribute.

Wish you all the luck with your writing career and look forward to maybe reading one of your books someday, Monica!
Christine P. Jul 30, 2007, 5:32pm EDT
Wonderful writing Monica. I always seem to find when I am feeling most high or low is when I tend to write my poems the most. Seems to calm my mind and let me focus a bit more. A form on self-therapy as Simon wrote above. Thanks for writing this Monica.:)
Monica Kennedy Jul 30, 2007, 5:34pm EDT
Vishenda - very astute observations there - I think you have hit it on the head. Well said.

Diana - I agree with you as well, and though mental illness is often difficult to control, it is nice to know there can be positive outcomings. It would be better if the creativity could come without the pain and struggle, but hopefully time will find a cure for that part. Thank you!
Monica Kennedy Jul 30, 2007, 5:37pm EDT
Christine - I write poetry a lot when I am down too - and often the poetry is down as well. It seems to help, to express that pain in words. I am not the best poet though, so i don't expect to see them published, but I enjoy the process and think writing poetry helps to really learn about words as well, and their controlled use in writing.

Angela - as always, thanks for stoping by!
Cinnamon and everything not so nice *. Jul 30, 2007, 5:40pm EDT
Looks like we have good company but unfortunately (or not) I think I fall somewhere between Axl Rose and Larry Flynt. heehee
Jenna is around here somewhere s. Jul 30, 2007, 6:30pm EDT
Wow, now thats a really long list...
Judy Beauchemin Jul 30, 2007, 6:30pm EDT
You forgot to put Uncle Joe on your list!
It's Not Me w. Jul 30, 2007, 6:36pm EDT
Yes, I've noticed this to be true as well. In fact I hold on to the fact that mental illness and creativity go hand in hand. That way I don't feel so bad about my condition.

I am an avid reader, writer and crocheter. I saw that you have an article on crochet links. Very cool, Monica.
Lisa Frost Jul 30, 2007, 10:02pm EDT
I have it on good authority that my imaginary friend thinks you should DEFINATELY be on that list. I just don't know why we aren't on that list? I was never confident in my writing, so I went into government work instead. You want to talk about correlations! LOL
Lisa Frost Jul 30, 2007, 10:07pm EDT
seriously though, we have several people in our family that are diagnosed as fully bipolar. My aunt and my uncle are both very creative, and artistic too. Most of my family is in one way or another. I mean artistic, and a little off center. While we have had some serious problems that have had to be treated in our family, I know for myself, I hope to stay one of the minor cases. (though I have found that telling people when you get aggravated that you are a federal employee and on prosac gets you helped a lot faster when you have a complaint, when you are really bad at complaining.) I love your writing Monica, you have a wonderful talent. Keep up the good work.
Alison H. Jul 30, 2007, 10:16pm EDT
Monica, hormonal problems can be caused by celiac disease. I suffered this myself for awhile before I figured out I was taking a vitamin with gluten in it. I felt PMS three weeks out of four (i.e. when I wasn't menstruating). When I stopped that vitamin, I got better. Any organ system can be affected. See my article: "Celiac Disease Can Cause or Be a Factor in Other Autoimmune Diseases."

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977071532
Alison H. Jul 30, 2007, 10:23pm EDT
Celiac disease can be a factor in many neurological conditions, including schizophrenia, but I haven't seen any research linking it with bipolar tendencies; apparently nobody has done that yet. I have a friend who has celiac and Graves' disease, and she has a nephew who is bipolar and appears to have food issues. Could be celiac, but his mom is in denial of anything else being wrong.
Gary Engstrom Jul 30, 2007, 10:25pm EDT
If you had a choice to be perfectly healthy, mentally, or continue to be creative, what would you do?

The advantage to being a little crazy is that you see the world in a unique way. If you can share your unique view - we call that art. Some people take mind altering drugs to achieve this kind of unique perspective.

Then, there are those of use who just have to work really hard at being creative.
Monica Kennedy Jul 31, 2007, 1:17am EDT
Cinnamon - lol - that is an interesting combination. Perhaps you should do the myers briggs test ( see my other article) and see if those two appear on your personality type.

Jenna - is there really anyone in Hollywood who is sane? Considering that, it is quite a short list!

Aunt Judy - Yep he is right there with me on that list. I think it is a pretty cool list to be on!

It's Not Me w - yes - I am an avid crocheter as well, and have a few patterns posted on Gather as well. I would love to see your work!

Kathleen M - thanks, and welcome to the club.

Lisa, aka ladyluna F - Thank you! My imaginary friend tells me you are da bomb. Perhaps one day when all of our imaginary friends bond together, we will make the list!

Alison H - thanks forthe information. Perhaps one day someone will study the connection possibilities to bipolar.

Gary - excellent question (no surprise seeing that it came from you!). I would choose to be healthy without any mental illness over the creativity ANY DAY. But, if I cannot choose that, I will be glad in the blessings I do receive from this illness. I honestly think I have these issues for a reason. It has enabled me to be a very empathetic person, and has really made me strong, though at times I appear weak. When I appear weak, you can know that I have endured tremendous strain, pain, and hardship. I have had doctors compliment me on my strength because I do not give in and take certain medications like many of their patients.

Thank you all for your kind comments - I am enjoying this discussion a lot. It is great to hear everyone's insight on this issue.
Dorine H. Jul 31, 2007, 1:46am EDT
Hee hee! I'm sure a little craziness helps--actually, I think it's about greater sensitivity. I wonder how many artistic cooks and chefs are mentally il, too. I have only depression, not both directions. There is a certain level of depression where the imagination is fullof images, but you have no energy to do anything with them. People who also have the manic pole have the times when they can do something with the images. Of course you belong on the list of great writers, Monica!
Monica Kennedy Jul 31, 2007, 3:14am EDT
Thanks Dorine - you belong on the list of great Chefs - we don't know which are crazy though - that was not a category lol
amarpreet k. Jul 31, 2007, 8:17am EDT
totally agree ..i read somewhere ....99% of people follow the rules and 1% are rebeelious ...and all the progress in this world is because of this 1%... I guess insanity is another name for being rebellious
samantha b. Jul 31, 2007, 2:56pm EDT
Monica, I agree 100% with you!
Kathryn E. Aug 1, 2007, 5:01pm EDT
I think the range of creative persons can be very vast; I do think that highly intelligent people, creative people, mad, crazy, insane people or people with a mental illness all have one thing in common: a brain that is far different from the brains of many other persons who have none of this.

I do think all people are capable of creativity; it is a part of being human.
Cheryl R. Aug 17, 2007, 3:28pm EDT
Monica, I like the way you think, of course I'm going to be taking anti-depressants for the rest of my life if my psychiatrist is correct.

I have some thoughts though, the hypothalmus, controller of chemical balance for our brain is in the left hemisphere, that should mean right brained people are more creative
I think.

And what about all the creative people who don't have a mental illness, of course I know that many people who were mentally ill were not diagnosed, but has anyone actually done a study comparing creativity in persons without mental illness. To really be scientific you have to look at both.

An interesting article. Thank you
Monica Kennedy Aug 17, 2007, 5:50pm EDT
Cheryl - I am not sure if that has been studied yet, and indeed many of the people on this list were posthumously diagnosed bi-polar. It is an interesting topic and one I am sure will continue to be researched for years to come. Thanks for commenting!
Solange S. Sep 5, 2007, 6:57pm EDT
thought provoking and true! thanks for sharing~
Timothy S. Sep 20, 2007, 11:17pm EDT
Yup, been crazy for years!



If you like true stories, check out the high school Diaries
Clare Stella Jan 5, 2008, 7:30pm EST
I'm getting back on Gather after a long period of not writing and came across this good article, Monica. It's interesting to me how many of those in the field of comedy have mental illness. I can see the mania in Robin Williams, can't you? I think comedy comes from a place of darkness and creativity.
Monica Kennedy Jan 8, 2008, 2:52pm EST
Yes, Clare, and I think we learn to cover up and fake out people when we have depression and whatnot. I know a lot of people have been surprised to hear of my issues becuase I am known as the comedian and the inpirer. Part of it is that when things are good we are highly effective people, and part is that you have to learn to cope in the world and disguise your issues, and sometimes comedy is what helps with that.
Tamara L~will view, may comment~ S. Feb 22, 2008, 12:16am EST
I'm glad I found this article, Monica. I'm glad you shared this. I will also let my son know of these famous people so he doesn't feel ashamed or embarrassed. I know I have certain times when I am creative and certain times when I'm not, but I haven't fully grasped my own condition yet. It's all new to me still.
Carol P. Oct 9, 2008, 2:39pm EDT
There is so much mental illness that is never talked about. That is part of the problem. Everyone wants to sweep it under the rug thinking it will go away. Wrong!
mari mc Jan 31, 2009, 1:07pm EST
my years of mental illness turned out to be diagnosed as autoimmune graves' disease.
RJ H. Jun 2, 2009, 12:20pm EDT

"Mainly I am thankful for it, for the creativity and insight it has given me, and for the positive treasures it has brought to the world."

Amen, sister!!

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Make New Friends | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Health | Moms | Money | News | Politics | Spirituality | Sports | Travel | Writing
Version 16836, "Oz"; Copyright © 2009 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.