The Surfacing Field Of Posttraumatic Growth - 1748 Words

There has been an ongoing question if mental illness connects to creativity. The notion that mental illness and creativity are linked is very noticeable to the public eye. Many creators had harsh life experiences such as loss of a relative, physical disability or social rejection. When dealing with a mental illness one’s mind travels to other thoughts; this is how creative processes form in their mind. They see the world differently than others and create their visions or thoughts onto paper or sculpt it. Creativity can also be an escape from the suffering. The surfacing field of posttraumatic growth is showing how people can turn trauma into creative growth. There is evidence that shows links between mental illness and artistic ability.†¦show more content†¦Studies have produced some persuasive evidence that the connection is real. The biological support invokes the frontal lobe of the brain which is the main connection between the temporal and parietal lobes, where knowledge and concepts are stored. Unusual activity in the frontal lobe, and in particular the prefrontal cortex, is characteristic of both schizophrenia and manic depression. It is impossible for any scientist to conclude if and how a mental illness supplies an artist with innovative ideas, but some of the effects of mental illness on the artistic process are more tangible. For example, in manic-depressive artists, periods of mania are often associated with increased excitability, inspiration, and massive output. These emotions may come across in more daring, large-scale, or uninhibited pieces. The manic artist may feel unfettered from societal expectations and norms, more confident in his most far-fetched ideas; at the same time, the energy of mania can help the artist focus and complete an enormous amount in a short period of time. Schizophrenia can also have dramatic effects on an artist’s work. As described, schizophrenia is characterized by disturbances in thought, language, emotions, and activity, often culminating in full blown delusions or hallucinations. In this way, the illness actually alters perception and cognition to such an extent that the individual experiences life in a unique way. Some schizophrenics are able to communicate the