14 DAY TRIAL // Depression and mental illness, such as bipolar disorder, have been linked with creativity, in a new study led by Kay Redfield Jamison, professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University. Psychologists now believe that ruminating personalities could become more creative or stumble in the depths of depression with the same ease. Plus, the two are not mutually exclusive, as proven by the brilliant writings of David Foster Wallace, who committed suicide on September 12th.
Ultra-observant personalities or people who are reflective and very sensitive to their surroundings are very likely to exhibit depression symptoms. "If you think about stuff in your life and you start thinking about it again, and again, and again, and you kind of spiral away in this continuous rumination about what's happening to you and to the world – people who do that are at risk for depression," said Paul Verhaeghen, associate professor of psychology at Georgia Institute of Technology.
If the theory turns out to be correct, it could explain why several key artist figures throughout the years, such as Robert Schuman and Sylvia Plath, suffered from mood disorders during their lives. Doctors explain that sensitive people tend to over-analyze everything and everyone around them, which could lead to bleak thoughts about reality. These thoughts can either be controlled and put to use to create exquisite music, literature and paintings, or they can be overwhelming, in which case the person is more likely to develop bipolar disorder or other mental illnesses.
An interesting discovery scientists made pointed out that people with bipolar disorder tend to be up to 50 percent more creative than healthy individuals specialized in arts. The scientific cause for this remains a mystery, so researchers hope that the new conclusions might shed some light on the intricate connections between some mental illnesses, moods and creativity.