The myth of mad artists has proven to be an oversimplification

The common perception that great artists and writers necessarily suffered from severe mental illness is not supported by scientific evidence.

This is the conclusion of researcher and professor at University College London, Daisy Fancourt, in an article for The Conversation.

The history of art indeed knows many tragic examples. Vincent van Gogh experienced psychosis, ballet master Wenceslas Nijinsky suffered from schizophrenia, and writer Virginia Woolf lived with bipolar disorder. In modern times, famous artists have also spoken publicly about such diagnoses. These cases have become the basis for the enduring image of the "mad creative genius".

However, as Fancourt emphasises, individual biographies do not prove a direct link between severe mental illness and creative ability. Moreover, scientific evidence shows that artistic activity has a generally beneficial effect on mental health, reducing stress levels and improving overall well-being.

However, the professional lives of artists and musicians are often fraught with psychological difficulties. Unstable incomes, competition, public pressure and the stress of fame can increase the risk of anxiety, depression and addictions. Studies also show that increased popularity can increase a person's focus on themselves, which is not always good for the psyche.

Scientists have also studied possible biological links between creativity and mental disorders. Some genetic variations associated with an increased risk of psychosis have also been associated with out-of-the-box thinking and novelty seeking. However, the results of such studies are mixed and do not suggest a direct causal link.

Large-scale demographic data also do not support the myth. One of the largest studies in Sweden, involving more than 1.2 million people, found that people with schizophrenia, severe depression and anxiety disorders were less likely to work in creative professions than the general population. Only bipolar disorder was slightly more likely to be in a creative field.

Another finding was more interesting: relatives of people with severe mental illness - parents and siblings - were more likely to choose creative professions. The scientists speculate that they may exhibit milder traits, such as increased sensitivity, openness to experience, or a tendency to think outside the box, without developing a clinical disorder.

The bottom line, Fancourt notes, is that science does not support the idea that mental illness is the source of creative genius. Rather, this myth simplifies reality and may increase the stigmatisation of people with mental disorders.

It is much more productive, according to the researchers, to see art as a tool to support mental health - available to both professional artists and people who use creativity in everyday life.