Psychology Addict # 13 | Mental Abnormality & Creativity
Mentally disturbed geniuses
When the minds of certain famous historical characters are analysed their creative capacity is often linked to their madness or anguish. They were mostly artists: In music for example, there is Mozart, who is now believed to have presented obsessive-compulsive, manic behaviour and nervous tics, which leads some psychologists to diagnose him in retrospect with Gilles de la Tourette’s Syndrome. But, the most famous artist in history recognised for both his creativity and mental distress is undoubtedly Vincent Van Gogh, who in older psychiatric literature was regarded as a ‘creative psychopath’. This diagnosis, however, has now been shifted; nowadays he is rather perceived as someone who suffered from bipolar disorder.
![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmfWRS2biFgiKET97S2acNHuN45JAH7Giyu6Tw6APJrAfF/Mozart.jpg)
Depth psychology on creativity & Social acceptance
Depth psychology puts forward an intriguing explanation for creativity, claiming that it is a phenomenon present in either those individuals who are prone to regression, or that it is a product of not properly growing up (fixation). As for the creation of paintings, for example, Freudians put it down to the sublimation of faecal smearing; further indicating that immaturity is what prompts the works of geniuses. However, this generalisation is only seen through the creation of popular musicians and lyricists, who appear to produce their finest artwork in their late teens and early adult years. In summary, depth psychology mainly focuses on the fact that mental abnormality and creativity are both originated in the unconscious mind; this is to say that creativity is a means individuals (unconsciously) find to turn socially unacceptable urges into acceptable ones.
Depth psychology – The study of therapy approaches to the unconscious mind.
But, if creativity has more to do with consequences than causes? Don't novel scientific and artistic creations often transgress and disrupt conventions? And are subjected to criticism and contempt? Well, those afflicted by mental abnormalities go against conventions with no insight or careful consideration. Thus, both creativity and madness can be identified as a form of transgression. The difference being that the former finds its way into social approval, either generally or partially; while the latter invites ridicule. The risk to experiment with the preposterous is what they hold in common above all.
Whatever originates creativity (psychological determiners, inherited characteristics or environmental ones), and perhaps, therefore transgression, the final verdict is always pronounced by society, which ultimately lends a negative or positive worth on the creation and the mind behind it. This is, of course, applicable to those who give in to the frames of conventions. As for the people who remain open to experimentation and withstand narrow rationality, creativity is rather seen as a causality dilemma (does being ingenious cause them anguish, or being mentally distressed makes them creative?) to be nurtured. Take the poet Rilke, for example, who abandoned his psychotherapy sessions after finding out its purposes, and famously stated:
‘if my devils are to leave me, I am afraid my angels will take flight as well’.
[Original content by Abigail Dantes - 2017]
Reference list:
Amadeus (1984), Directed by Milos Forman |Film|. United States, Saul Zaentz.
Gleick, James (2004) Isaac Newton, New York, Vintage.
Pilgrim, D. (2017) Key Concepts in Mental Health, London, SAGE.
Thanks to @foundation for this beautiful gif
I suppose the world would be a much different place without the mental abnormalities. Thanks for posting :)
Thanks for stopping by and commenting :)
Well, if I could choose, I'd rather be a creative lunacy than a perfectly sane and boringly suppressed normality.
Everyone has their share of instability, creative people might let it show a bit more or just use it as a way to "let off steam".
Absolutely @ruth-girl! Thank you for stopping by :D
I think I am a rare oddity. A true genious in all fields with no mental or whatever abnormalities!
Clearly mental :-)
😂😂
That's because you are from another planet @trumpman! Look at you ... all orange and roundish ... you look cute, though :*
:)
stop it, I am blushing !
Ahahahahah
I have found that creative tasks and other mentally strenuous activities such as doing mathematics are quite useful in dealing with OCD intrusive thoughts.
There you go @timspeer! And you are a great artist, you see? It is great to see you here. I am a big fan of your work and could not pick a favourite among your piano pieces, cannons or medieval compositios. They are the work of a genius in my opinion! Thanks for stopping by. It's very much appreciated 🙂
Thank you!
🤗
You are such a genius, there must be a lot of crazyness inside of you but nothing visible in your line of posts, on my Steemit wish list :-)
Ahahahahaha You make me smile @bubke! ❤️
I am NO genious!!
All the best for you and your beautiful family!
Come on stop being modest!
😘
First person who comes to mind is Robin Williams. 😞
There is a quote by Aristotle which suits this post-
It was a nice read. It seems they dive very deep into their interests and they can't make touch with reality in some extent..
Oh ... Himal, thank you for your kind words always. Great quote! Thank you for sharing it with us :)
By the way, I really enjoyed your post on Cotard Delusion. I am looking forward to seeing further episodes!
All the best :D
Does this explain why PolPot murdered millions of his people? Is it because he considered geniuses and all smart people to be abnormal?
Please look carefully at the authors of studies that might be trying to justify their own stupidity and inability to comprehend the logic of mathematics, sciences and music by seeking faults in those who can.
Is this why it is so uncool in some societies to be a good student, but being a trouble making rebellious teenager is considered as cool?
There seems to be a big correlation between schizophrenia and creativity as well. There are questions that are asked where the person looks at a picture and then after a few seconds are asked what do these two things have in common. I enjoyed this and agree if my demons leave me I also am afraid my angels will take flight. A desk and a crow why that's simple the desk has a feathered pen and the crow has feathers you can write with. cheers
Hey user @0103283! Thank you for your comment, nice to see you here! 🙂
thank you
Nice post ! Upvoted!
Thanks @godflesh :)