Critics of the notion that manic depression may enhance creative ability emphasize that this relationship, though it has received much attention, is only hypothetical. The most obvious objection to the existence of such a link is that most people with manic depression are not creative or artistic and most individuals classified as artists or creative individuals are not affected by manic depression.
Skeptics also criticize studies suggesting the prevalence of bipolar disorders among creative individuals. Some argue that using biographical descriptions to diagnose deceased artists and writers with manic depression, and then citing these diagnoses as evidence of the prevalence of bipolar disorders among creative individuals, is “a parlor game, not science.”(3) Furthermore, studies using biographical evidence to suggest that afflictions are more prominent among creative people could be biased by overexposure. More information is known about the private lives of these individuals, whereas members of the general public might choose to hide these disorders to avoid social stigma.(4) Of course, later studies, such as those described above and in particular those performed by Jamison, relied on more systematic approaches that avoid the bias resulting from the use of biographies. However, this work too has been criticized for using people who have been “socially defined” as creative (for example, by having received prizes) in assessing the prevalence of manic depression among artists. Artists and writers outside of the mainstream may not be included in this research, and therefore the samples of artists used would not be representative. Furthermore, eminent artists may refuse to participate in such a study out of fear of stigmatization, therefore biasing even the analysis of artists who are “socially defined” as creative.(Gutin)
While researchers claim that the results of recent studies suggest an overriding trend that creativity and manic depression are linked, they are far from unified in suggesting a mechanism for this link.
Critics have questioned the proposed means by which manic depression might influence creativity. Preti suggests that some temperamental traits widespread among creative people, like eccentricity, uneasiness, propensity to excess and experimentation, could be a reflection not only of an underlying mood disorder, but also, and above all, of the tolerance by society of the behavior of high-achieving individuals. The expression of these traits among artists is therefore a byproduct of their creative achievement whose success affords them permission to behave in such a way; such behavior by individuals of the general public would not be tolerated by society.(Preti)
Along different lines, Arnold Ludwig has suggested that the prevalence of manic depression among artists does not necessarily mean that this disorder must be linked to enhanced artistic ability. He found much higher levels of mental illness among creative artists than among creative individuals in other professions. While these findings offer evidence that confirms the prevalence of bipolar disorders among artists, Ludwig does not interpret these findings as consistent with Jamison’s conclusion that manic depression enhances creativity. Rather, he suggests that creative individuals who are afflicted with a mental illness find themselves in artistic professions because alternating episodes of mania and depression and their associated changes in mood, focus,etc., are not conducive to the structured nature of business or science. He ultimately concludes that mental illness is, "not a necessary component of “creative eminence.”(Gutin)
Critics such as psychiatrist Frank Johnson of the University of California at San Francisco point out that manic depression is just another in a long list of illnesses that have previously been thought to be related to creativity. In the 1960’s alcoholism was believed to be the source of artistic creativity in writers, while earlier this influence was attributed to epilepsy and syphilitis paresis. The works of Keats, Shelley, Poe and others were once believed to be a result of tuberculosis. (Like manic depression, TB involves periods of hyperactivity and then periods of lethargy whose alternation was thought to produce great insight in patients.)(Gutin)
In fact, a study reported by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill refutes the notion that manic or depressive episodes are what promote creativity for an affected artist. A group of 24 artists were asked “What happened to your creative ability” when their manic depression had been brought under control with lithium. 6 artists reported that their work levels had remained the same, and 12 reported that “they created more, and in some cases better” during treatment. “Their depressions had been painful and artistically barren; their manias dominated by valueless overactivity.” The ability to function consistently and to regulate their artistic abilities contributed positively to their work levels and creativity.(5) No one is creative or productive when severely depressed or psychotic. Furthermore, the high rate of suicide in untreated manic depressives means that potential for artistic productivity is cut short. Observations of other researchers seem to corroborate this idea.
Most of the artists sampled in Andreasen’s study stated that they tended to write during the normal periods between episodes rather than during a manic state.Ruth Richards found that these creative abilities were mostly concentrated among individuals with “slight or sub-clinical forms” of manic depression, since, as suggested, severe forms of the disease are not conducive to productivity.(6)
If there is a link between mental illness and creativity, it could also be more general than specifically manic depression. Ludwig’s study suggests that a state of general “unease” or “tension” is conducive to artistic achievement, and only one component that influences individuals who are otherwise disposed to creativity.
Many alternatives to the theory of a link between creativity and mental illness have been suggested. Some researchers, most notably Harvard psychiatrist Albert Rothenberg, argue that it is actually mental health that facilitates creativity. Ludwig’s studies confirm the notion that creative individuals in a variety of professions are characterized by emotional stability.(7)
The push to show a link between manic depression and creativity, some argue, is actually a result of the fact that extraordinary accomplishments “make us nervous.” This is simply an extension of the “mad genius” myth. Attributing creative achievement with mental illness is comforting- it “allows us to settle back and fish between the sofa cushions for the remote. No need to make the effort to create a poem or anything else; art is the province of the mad.”(Gutin)
Even if there may be a link between bipolar disorder and creativity, this link would only be relevant for a few individuals within the population. Prominent critics of this relationship as well as individuals who are themselves afflicted with manic depression fear that the push to establish such a link tends to romanticize a condition associated with tremendous suffering that has ruined the lives of many individuals. An estimated 2 million Americans suffer from bipolar disorders, with roughly 1/3 of those individuals going untreated. This is a particularly grave statistic, considering that the suicide rate among untreated individuals is up to 20%.(8) One painter who suffers from manic-depression echoes this concern. “I hate for people to admire the creativity and support an illness that ends in something so criminal to self as suicide.”(Gutin) In addition, emphasizing such a link may even put an extra burden on individuals already afflicted with this condition by expecting people to be creative, or encourage individuals not to seek treatment.
Even for the sub-group of individuals for whom may be associated with creativity, the illness is both a blessing and a cure [prob. meant 'curse'], and we must seek ways to reduce its pain.
“Sometimes I think God gave me the gift of creativity as a consolation prize, but I’m still suffering. I don’t know where this disease came from, but I sure wish it would go away.”(9)
