"Some of the first research in this area focused on simple correlation studies, looking for quantifiable evidence that mental illness is more common among creative people. In a 1987 study, Dr. Nancy Andreason of the University of Iowa, found that a sample of creative writers had significantly higher levels of bipolar disorder than a control group. It is not hard to see how these symptoms might be loosely analogous to creative processes – drawing unusual connections or thinking in a unique way are hallmarks of the artistic mind. But the traits of creativity are not only descriptively similar to some of the side-effects of mental illness – the neurological brain states are actually the same."
Note-
If the brain states are the same, as stated above, why then, would some people express these states in a way that indicates real suffering and other people express them purely in ways that boost their creative output? How can we learn from those who only use the state to be creative, minus the suffering? Is there a way to transfer this ability or teach this ability to people who experience similar states but who appear unable to channel the energy in creative and or productive ways?
Chemical Imbalance theory-
Scientists are quite convinced that medication can correct chemical imbalances. These imbalances typically result in deviant behavior and symptoms people report which suggest that the person is suffering a great deal.
The question that does not often enough get asked is; what are all the other factors involved in each case? There are almost always possibilities that people can recover fully from mental states that were, at one point, or at many points, debilitating.
How much of these cases are mind over matter? How much of the behavior is a choice? None? Some? All? Some variation of these options?
Like so many things, the most probable answer would be that the level of choice involved varies from individual to individual. It would make no sense that two people with the same diagnosis would have all the same abilities to use self control and discipline and so forth in regard to handling their symptoms. It also makes no sense at all to pathologize a person's behavior and attribute all of it to an illness. What kind of role does the "chemical imbalance" really play?
If there were nothing at all to the imbalance theory, as some of the more radical folks suggest, then why would so many people have been successfully treated with medication? There must be some legitimacy to this method of treatment, but clearly it is not the only one or always the right one. We must use discretion and discernment, two things so frequently thrown out the window when it comes to mental health.
My intention in writing about this is to pose questions about a complicated subject and encourage people to think outside the boxes of traditional perspectives. We must think for ourselves, when we are blessed enough to be able to think clearly.
Taking this post in a slightly different but related direction, the idea of heaven and hell as states of mind, not actual places seems very relevant to mental health. This also brings in the matter of spiritual awareness. Many believe that each person "creates" their reality. I think this is an over simplification but what resonates is the idea that our mental state is directly connected to what we create and focus on. Some of what we collectively dream and create is a shared reality, some of it is not shared from community to community let alone from person to person.
In a Christian dominated society, such as ours, with Churches and Cathedrals in great numbers all over this land, the idea of salvation for many laypeople has been relegated to the concept of an external force "saving" us from ourselves. Most people adjust this idea to fit what seems more plausible. I assert that on any given day, we have some heaven and some hell in our thoughts and psyches that we are working with. It is rarely a clear case of either/or. It tends to be a combination.
To be continued....
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