Posted on 03/18/2017 5:57:02 PM PDT by RoosterRedux
The myth of the tortured genius has endured for centuries.
Artists as diverse as Van Gogh, Kurt Cobain and Sylvia Plath have become famous for their talent as well as for their struggles with mental health problems.
But a conclusive link has never been made between mental health issues and creativity.
For the first time reliable data has shown that the suicide rate among people working in creative roles is significantly higher than the national average.
The first-ever study of suicide by profession from the ONS, which covered England in the years from 2011 to 2015, showed that people who work in arts-related jobs are up to four times more likely to commit suicide.
Among men working in culture, media and sport-related jobs, the risk is 20 per cent higher, and among women it is 69 per cent higher.
The risk is even more pronounced among individual professions. Male artists are more than twice as likely to commit suicide, and with female artists the risk quadruples.
Rates are similarly high among actors, entertainers and presenters.
There were 311 suicides among people working in culture, media and sport professions during the period.
While the numbers are low, Louis Appleby, Professor of Psychiatry at Manchester University, said that they were statistically significant.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
I am a Van Gogh fan and have read every bio I can find of him. Definitely a genius and definitely troubled.
I have had very bright friends commit suicide. Vy troubling.
Have prayed on this a great deal.
Must admit that I don’t understand it at all.
When one spends their life becoming what others want,
there is great hazard of losing ones sense of self and depersonalizing.
This means I don’t have a chance. darn it.
What if you are a sub-genius?
I’ve often wondered if there isn’t a reverse situation - that many really great actors might be great because they start out with no strong sense of self-identity, and can ‘become’ their roles easily.
Well I’m sitting pretty since I am basically a mouth breather...
What if you are a tortured ignoramous?
Very bright.
Genius? Who knows.
Spent the weekend at my apartment. All the signs were there.
As a possible antidote to depression, I asked him if he had every considered religion/faith.
His response was that he had studied all of them.
I asked "have you ever considered Jesus."
His response was, "I will never consider Him."
So sorry about your friend.
Doesn't seem to affect my brain.
Robert E. Howard
Thx much, Beaversmom.
Damn shame.
But stuff happens.
The same gene locus tied to manic depression, depression and schizophrenia is linked to high levels of creativity. As if you have to be farther from the norm to be either creative or mentally ill.
Don’t you know ignorance is bliss? They’re never tortured.
Then you will die of lung cancer.
“What if you are a sub-genius?”
Avoid the subway.
You might aim for your brain stem and miss?
Seriously though...hang in there.
I am a sub-genius.
An idiot savant...more idiot than savant.
Life is still tough.
Hang tough.
I am told it is a blessing if you can endure it.
Write if you can.
You are correct.
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