I sometimes wonder if artists are more sensitive than other professionals, so suffer more from depression and related illness than they do?
When
April 2022
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If it’s the latter, does the creativity assist with demolishing low moods, or does it encourage it? Because let’s be honest, most of the best love songs, paintings, photographs, stories etc were born from severe anguish. Oooh it’s an interesting one to pick apart, that’s for sure.
I don’t have the time or the resources to gather research of my own, but there is enough evidence already out there to support a theory that neurodiversity, depression and creativity are knitted together. That doesn’t mean that all Autistic people can paint. Or that all BiPolar people can write a love song. But it means that their unique perspective on the world can inspire something amazing. We then have to figure out how to translate that in to a narrative that’s tangible for others. Some have the environmental factors to enable this and some don’t.
I think you could also throw in to the mix, that a neurodivergent mind will process the world differently, and this in itself can produce artwork which is unique and of enormous value. This is where my curiosity really kicks in.
Art has been used for many years, as a form of therapy for anyone who is struggling with anger, anxiety or general mental health. There are many reasons why this is successful.
