Psychiatric Medication and Creativity: Debunking the Van Gogh Myth

Written May 27, 2011

Updated May 27, 2025

If Vincent Van Gogh had undergone therapy with psychiatric remedy, would Starry Night nonetheless have been created, or would the world be slightly dimmer with out it? It’s important to tell apart between romanticized notions and the scientific realities of psychological well being. Frequently, at Bipolar Burble, I obtain feedback suggesting that if famend artists with psychological sicknesses had been handled successfully, we would not have their outstanding works at present. The ongoing debate relating to psychiatric remedy and its affect on creativity stays a scorching subject. The prime instance folks cite is at all times Van Gogh. They argue that with out his unmedicated psychological sickness, he wouldn’t have reached the heights of creative greatness he’s identified for at present. If that had been true, wouldn’t it imply that others must also forgo remedy in hopes of attaining related creative success?

Well then, let’s all cease taking our medicines and unleash our creative expressions. And whereas we’re at it, let’s additionally contemplate the drastic actions of chopping off our ears.

Exploring the Connection Between Creativity and Mental Illness

Undoubtedly, experiencing psychological sickness can present a novel perspective that enables people to understand the world in revolutionary methods. Personally, I discover that I can view conditions and ideas from angles that many others can’t comprehend. This is usually a vivid benefit, full of a kaleidoscope of colours, but it additionally presents important challenges as I navigate via society. People usually have a look at me peculiarly whereas attempting to understand the logic behind my thought processes, which may be fairly a activity for them.

However, it’s essential to understand that this distinct viewpoint isn’t solely attributable to bipolar dysfunction. It’s additionally an expression of creativity. Long earlier than I used to be recognized and started taking remedy, I exhibited inventive tendencies. Currently, I proceed to embrace my inventive talents whereas adhering to a psychotropic routine.

Understanding the Myth Surrounding Psychiatric Medication

During intervals of hypomania, I’ve produced a staggering quantity of written content material—hundreds upon hundreds of phrases have flowed from my thoughts. In these moments, I genuinely believed my work was distinctive.

At least, that’s what I assumed at the time.

Individuals experiencing hypomania (together with mania) usually understand themselves as exceptionally gifted and inventive. They might contemplate themselves to be geniuses, however this self-assessment doesn’t at all times align with actuality. Upon reviewing my very own writings crafted throughout these hypomanic phases, I’ve found that they’re usually removed from sensible; they are often fairly nonsensical as a substitute.

The Impact of Psychiatric Medication on Creativity

Since I started taking psychiatric remedy, I’ve generated hundreds of pages of written work. Some of it has been produced in an expert setting, whereas different items are extra private or experimental, but many are actually inventive and commendable. While I possess a sure degree of expertise, it’s important to acknowledge that this expertise has not been diminished or erased by the use of psychiatric medicines.

That mentioned, when bipolar dysfunction plunges me right into a deep despair, it considerably hampers my potential to realize something, no matter my inherent talents.

The Relationship Between Artists, Psychiatric Medication, and the Tragic Reality of Death

Perhaps you disagree with my perspective. You may assert that you simply discover your creativity to flourish with out remedy. That’s completely superb. Maybe you’d even be keen to sacrifice an ear to realize the creative brilliance of Van Gogh. That’s additionally superb.

However, it’s essential to think about the many exceptionally gifted people who succumbed to suicide on account of their psychological well being battles, together with Van Gogh, whose escalating despair finally hindered his potential to color and led to his premature dying at the younger age of 37.

Countless different famend artists have additionally tragically taken their very own lives:

• Robin Williams — suicide at 63
• Kate Spade — suicide at 55
• Marilyn Monroe — suicide at 36
• Hunter S. Thompson — suicide at 67
• Sylvia Plath — suicide at 30
• Kurt Cobain — suicide at 27
• Ernest Hemingway — suicide at 62 (notably, his father, brother, and sister additionally died by suicide)
• Diane Arbus — suicide at 48
• Alexander McQueen — suicide at 41
• Virginia Woolf — suicide at 59; right here is an excerpt from her poignant suicide be aware to her husband:

I really feel sure that I’m going mad once more. I really feel we will’t undergo one other of these horrible occasions. And I shan’t recuperate this time. I start to listen to voices, and I can’t focus. So I’m doing what appears the neatest thing to do. . . I don’t suppose two folks may have been happier ’til this horrible illness got here. I can’t struggle any longer. . . I can’t learn.

There are quite a few different gifted people, each celebrated and lesser-known, who’ve had their lives tragically lower quick by suicide.

I think that the members of the family of every one among these people yearn for the availability of efficient psychiatric therapy for his or her family members. No one needs a bit of artwork greater than a grieving father or mother or sibling.

Debunking the Myth That Psychiatric Medication Stifles Creativity and Artistic Expression

Therefore, I urge you to desert the misguided notion that medicines are inherently “bad” as a result of they supposedly stifle creativity. The harsh actuality is that what actually extinguishes your inventive spark?

Death.

To illustrate this level, I’ll share a poignant excerpt from a poem about suicide that captures the essence of this situation:

The Choice

by Lesléa Newman

. . .

Or you possibly can elevate the paring knife

from the kitchen drawer

and free the veins

that rise to fulfill the pores and skin

There is nobody

save the poems you may write

It’s essential to make clear that I’m not asserting that nobody has ever skilled a decline of their creative output attributable to psychiatric remedy. What I’m conveying is that utilizing this as an excuse to keep away from crucial therapy is essentially misguided. Your life holds far higher worth than any piece of artwork. Just ask anybody who cares about you. (Moreover, it’s price noting that the proper remedy can usually alleviate this concern.)

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