Link between mental illness and creativity?

[StarPhoenix]

At first glance, Einstein, Salvador Dali, Tony Hancock, and Beach Boy Brian Wilson would seem to have little in common. Their areas of physics, modern art, comedy, and rock music, are light years apart. So what, if anything, could possibly link minds that gave the world the theory of relativity, great surreal art, iconic comedy, and songs about surfing?

Continued here

[rustypup]

the flaw in the system being that, for every einstein, there's a million variations of kim jong-il or comrade julius...

[StarPhoenix]

True. As with some things in Real Life (TM), there may be more than one factor at play here.

Perhaps the article could have come with a disclaimer in big, bold type: Warning use of Creativity has been linked to Mental Disturbance.
Next question: Were Feynmann, Gauss and Bach mentally unstable?

Do you think that Comrade Julius is mentally ill? One can make the odd mistake while still being perfectly sane, not so? Certain people have suggested to me that he knows perfectly well what he is doing and that it is all part of a *cunning plan*.

[SykomantiS]

Odd mistake?

[doo_much]

By that yard measure I am probably the most sanesest person around - the inverse of the theory must hold true, no?

[KALSTER]

I like the premise behind the idea. It makes intuitive sense. I am not sure I agree with what they are saying in terms of how it relates to evolution though.

True. As with some things in Real Life (TM), there may be more than one factor at play here.

I agree. I think mental processes that might be construed as abnormal might be more common than thought and as such would be more normal than otherwise. I would think that the quality of the mind it originates in and how we process these "psychoses" would be where the difference lies.

Juliaaas is an idiot, so if he is prone to psychosis, it would be a bad thing.

[Bladerunner]

I'm sure there are many brilliant people out there who are not mentally ill.

Newton and Einstein's schizotypal orientation, for instance, enabled their revolutionary stamp in the sciences.

Schizotypal personality disorder, or simply schizotypal disorder, is a personality disorder that is characterized by a need for social isolation, odd behavior and thinking, and often unconventional beliefs.

So? Nobody is forced to socialise. And of course their thinking and beliefs might seem "odd". These men discovered things other people didn't know existed.

[Prime]

Look, there is a definite link between intelligence and certain mental disorders.

Depression is very common in people with aspergers (and I'd guess autism as it is closely related to aspergers), both syndromes are associated with antisocial behaviour and extremely high IQ's.

Still reading the article

edit:

While the artists showed schizotypy traits, mathematicians did not, and that fits in with the idea that mathematics and engineering, which require attention to detail, are closer to the autistic traits than to psychosis.

The joke, related by Rod Martin, author of 'The Psychology of Humor – An Integrative Approach', is apparently something of a favourite among comedians, who are known to be prone to depression, from the late Tony Hancock and Spike Milligan, to Stephen Fry and Paul Merton.

Spike Milligin also had a drinking problem. He tried to stab Peter Sellers before a recording of an episode of the goons one night. Peter Sellers was probably asking for it

[StarPhoenix]

So? Nobody is forced to socialise.

Try telling that to certain people who have taken it upon themselves to "help" me.

[Bladerunner]

So? Nobody is forced to socialise.

Try telling that to certain people who have taken it upon themselves to "help" me.

You are not alone. I have no idea why my friends always invite me when they go out. (And no they're not just being polite)

It's like they feel sorry for me because I don't socialise.

[Prime]

So? Nobody is forced to socialise.

Try telling that to certain people who have taken it upon themselves to "help" me.

You are not alone. I have no idea why my friends always invite me when they go out. (And no they're not just being polite)

It's like they feel sorry for me because I don't socialise.

Would you rather they ignored you, pretended you didn't exist and or treated you like crap?

[Bladerunner]

Would you rather they ignored you, pretended you didn't exist and or treated you like crap?

Just not nag me to come to every event they organise

[doo_much]

Would you rather they ignored you, pretended you didn't exist and or treated you like crap?

We've been doing that for ages and he hasn't noticed...

[Bladerunner]

Would you rather they ignored you, pretended you didn't exist and or treated you like crap?

We've been doing that for ages and he hasn't noticed...

[Sakura454]

Alot of the most amazing things have been done by people that seem a bit strange to us. I believe strange is a relative term. What is being 100% normal?. I believe each and every person has a quirk or a bit of strangeness in them, sometimes it makes them special and different other times it makes them weird and offensive.

Sometimes strangeness can define you as a great leader other times it can create a world of missery for the person.

[Tribble]

Pity that being strange doesn't always mean that we are a brilliant. I always wanted to be a genius - a savant - ever since I was little - but alas - I am coated with mediocrity. Funnily enough, I also wanted to be completely nuts.

[StarPhoenix]

Me too.

[Tribble]

Sad how we both failed at our dreams. I feel a kinship.