Bipolar disorder
From English 194 Wiki Site
Literature and various studies have demonstrated a strong relationship between creativity (particularly within literature, arts and music) and bipolar disorder:
- A study done in 1949, supported the relationship between creativity and bipolar disorder and the idea that both are genetically predisposed. The study involved artists and their family members. These German artists included writers, architects, artists and composers. The findings stated that two-thirds of the artists and their relatives were “psychically normal” (Creativity and Bipolar Disorder). However, in comparison to the general public, this group had a greater number of “insane and neurotic” people and those in the group had a larger amount of suicides. The experiment also found that 50% of poets and 38% of musicians were described as having “psychiatric abnormality” (Creativity and Bipolar Disorder).
- Another study, which compared those within the creative arts to those of professions such as public officials, scientists and businessmen, the creative arts individuals portrayed two to three times the rate of suicide attempts, mood disorders, substance abuse and psychosis. Another study found that 80% of writers met formal diagnostic criteria for major mood disorder compared to 30% of the general public. This again suggests that artists are more likely to have bipolar disorder than those of the general public. Just as there is a proven genetic predisposition for bipolar disorder, other recent studies have shown that the same goes for creativity.
- Another study in particular depicted that manic-depressed individuals and their relatives scored higher on creativity tests than the control groups. This suggests that creativity may have genetic predisposition, just as manic-depression is additionally seen through family lines. This further implies that their may be a link between this particular mental disorder to creativity. Furthermore, the mere idea that these two entities are linked brings about a questioning of a "third factor", which would provide the link. It is additionally important to think about the point of the disorder’s onset and its effect on creativity within individuals.
- Similar situations suggest that there is a heightening of creativity, which coincides with the onset of the disorder. Possibilities include:
- The eventual deficit in information-processing systems, which in turn allows for a tendency towards creativity or innovation.
- Bipolar disorder has an effect upon the following neurological structures: the prefrontal cortex, the frontal lobe, the hippocampus, the hypothalamus and the cerebellum. The alteration of these numerous structures may strengthen creativity.
- The sensitivity of those with bipolar disorders, in combination with their limited frontal lobe processes allows for unrestrained expressions. The lowered inhibition of an individual with bipolar disorder additionally explains their ability to have multiple perspectives, since they now express previously contained ideas.
- Evidence shows that there is a relationship between bipolar disorder and creativity. Much more studies will have to take place in order to configure the exact relationship and the "third factor," which links the two entities, as it must involve genetic isolation techniques and brain scans.
Related Research Reports
See Also
Brooke Birrenkott 02:02, 8 June 2006 (PDT)
