The Relationship between Creativity and Mental Illness: An Artistic Perspective

Kagaba Amina G.

Faculty of Business, Kampala International University, Uganda

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates the intricate relationship between creativity and mental illness, particularly focusing on mood disorders such as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. By examining historical perspectives, psychological theories, and research findings, the discussion examines the dual personas of artists as both troubled geniuses and societal outliers. Historical narratives of artists like Vincent van Gogh and Virginia Woolf highlight the interplay of mental health and creative output. Modern psychological research suggests that certain cognitive patterns associated with mental illness may enhance creative potential, while artistic expression is increasingly recognized as a therapeutic tool for alleviating symptoms of mental distress. This work also emphasizes the need for ethical representation of mental illness in art and calls for interdisciplinary efforts to further understand this complex relationship.

Keywords: Creativity, Mental Illness, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Artistic Expression, Vincent van Gogh.

CITE AS: Kagaba Amina G. (2024). The Relationship between Creativity and Mental Illness: An Artistic Perspective. Research Output Journal of Education 4(3):34-37. https://doi.org/10.59298/ROJE/2024/433437