Creativity is a mental activity that is internally generated with an expression of novelty or originality. It is one of the positive aspects of a mental disorder called bipolar (BD). Early researchers on the subject developed the foundational perspective on creativity. Mednick (1962) described creativity in terms of one’s ability to make “novel links.” However, Eysenck (1993) referred to these links as “associations.” These associations differ among individuals. Creativity to Eysenck is facilitated when information-processing mechanisms are strong within a person. Cognitive imagery accentuates creativity more than linguistic processing. Research has shown that the emotional process can be effectively enhanced using cognitive imagery. It is an area that is explored by psychotherapists called cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). People with mental disorders can through the use of imagery express themselves better. Thus, creativity is measured subjectively and objectively. This measurement is based on how someone uses their creative ability in the mental process to provide expressive associations or solutions. Features of the creative process such as fluency of association, positive and negative affect, and use of cognitive imagery are common in BD patients.
Researchers in the area of neurobiology and psychology have been studying the connections neural relationship between creativity and mental disorders or illnesses. A growing number of patients diagnosed with bipolar disorders (BD) have demonstrated creativity as an inherent characteristic behavior. Generally, creativity is internal and external. It involves analyzing, processing, external operationalization of the internally conceived concept. The internal mechanisms and the association with mental disorders such as BD are yet to be fully explored and understood. Research evidence suggests that there is a correlation between psychopathology and creativity. This correlation is not clinically determined and not scientifically proven to warrant prescriptive evaluation and intervention. The association theory is the explorative and analytical point through which creative attributes are referred when making a diagnosis and assessing treatment options. Murray and Johnson (2010) offer options to therapists that can be utilized as treatment modalities to enhance outcome. Creativity in BD patients is mostly of artistic and aesthetic varieties and character. There is an overlap of personality traits and creativity BD.
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The common characteristic traits of BD that are linked to creative performance are important investigative elements of the relationship between BD and creativity. Bipolar disorder is described according to the presenting symptoms which vary in degrees. Bipolar I is a full-blown episode of manic features while Bipolar II is not a full-blown episode. Bipolar II is a hypomanic version with associated depression and cyclothymia. BD creativity is related to the personality traits and the cognitive-mood processes of an individual. Neuroticism and psychoticism are present in and high in BD. These characteristic features increase their creative potentials of BD patients. Openness to experience and extroversion are elevated compared to other populations. In addition, BD is associated with increased impulsivity and goal-setting abilities. Among other things, people with BD show positive affectivity, cognitive imagery, high drive for achievement, and strong inclinations towards arts endeavor than sciences.
Positive and negative valances have the potential of eliciting creativity. Arousal that is negative can trigger creative abilities in the same way as positive arousal. For example, psychotherapists have applied creativity in managing individuals and children with trauma from abuse. These artistic depictions are known to reduce emotional stressors and transform moods leading towards healing. Murphy (2009), writing on Dali states, “By painting, he was given the opportunity to explore his thoughts in a way that may otherwise not have been possible, like a diary of his mind’s obscurities; a way of confronting his confessions and externalising the chaos within.” (p.771). It shows that positive affect is not the only motivation and arousal of creativity associated with psychiatric conditions.
Creativity with BD patients is not generalized but individual orientated. Art has its degree of uniqueness and eccentricity. Prominent artists have been linked with mental illnesses and disorders. Many of them prove and support has not been evidence-based but literary compositions, making it difficult for psychological confirmation. Dali is one such example that has a whole picture of eccentricity and strange psychiatric parameters but none is sufficient as a diagnostic factor (Murphy, 2009). Some great artists, when psychologically evaluated may show signs of psychoticism. However, others have mastered their neurobiological vulnerabilities and used them to their advantage. Introversive artists do mask their creative weaknesses. Thus, caution is necessary when attaching creativity to personality disorders or mental illnesses because a work of art does not mean abnormality. Dali utilized his creative mental processes to express his art form in its bizarreness and took advantage of the attraction, and the attention it brings him as an individual.
Mood disorders are critical determinant of creativity in mental patients. It is one of the salient characteristics of BD. The changes in mood are linked to increase or decrease in creativity. Positive mood, increases creativity and originality. Meta-analytical studies demonstrate a strong relationship between positive affect and creativity. Details are insufficient though to declare that different degrees of emotions impede or enhance creative performance. There is a consensus on the level of mood and creativity. This consensus is that high and low levels of emotions impact on creative outcomes and a moderate level are what increases creative performance and originality. Taylor, Fletcher, and Lobban (2015) wrote, “High mood are useful for creativity up to a point, after which cognitive and affective changes interfere with creative thought and application.” (p.659). According to Taylor et al., the point at which cognitive and affective changes begin to infer with creativity is the optimal and modest point. Thus, positive affect has the ability to expand the creative process and cognitive scope. Creativity scores are known to increase with positive affect and this has been suggested to be the result of neural pathways in the brain.
The dopaminergic pathway in the mesolimbic area is believed to influence dysregulatory activities found in BD. Dopamine function has been shown to affect behaviors in many BD and other mental disorders. The creative process may be interfered with in BD if there is impairment of dopamine functions. Differences in the arts and sciences regarding creativity may also be connected with dopaminergic dysfunction. According to Soeiro-de-Souza et al. (2011) creativity in BD might be dependent on the intact of BD executive function and a putative hyperdopaminergic manic state. This assertion is because little is known about the neurobiological cause of the high level of creativity among BD. However, functional imaging studies, psychological, neuropsychological investigation indicates a potential contribution from the dopamine system. The cortical area of the brain and its activation, are moderated by dopamine and noradrenaline compounds. Of particular importance are the prefrontal cortex and its executive memory functions.
Creative professions if broadly defined will mean both scientific as well as artistic fields. Authors are artistic and inventors are scientific. Noting from research data, authors and artists who are seeking attention and improving their fame are prone to suicide, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and unipolar depression. Individuals in the creative professions are not so likely to suffer from psychiatric conditions exception BD. These findings are important in linking BD with creativity. Also, there is a familial connection between overall professional creativity and for mental disorders such as autism, anorexia nervosa, bipolar disorders, and schizophrenia. The suicide rates in the area of art such as music, writing, and other forms of entertainment confirms Ludwig’s finding with poets (1995).
Familial relationships with mental disorders and creativity has three important bearings on component of creative research. One is the divergent thinking ability. This aspect of the creative performance involves different, but related markers such as the quantity and flow of ideas or fluency, the flexibility of ideas, and originality of ideas. Over-inclusiveness is a function that identifies the thinking pattern of most people with mental disorders that makes them creative. A good example is the schizophrenic and schizotypy. Underlying creativity is the element of motivation and personal determination to succeed in the field of endeavor. As noted earlier on the traits found in BD, they possess the drive and have the reward seeking factor. The absence of motivation in BD and personal determination can affect success. When lack of motivation and self-ambition is part of an individual with great intelligence there is a strong likelihood of career failure (Eysenck, 1995). So, motivation is a vital component in creativity.
The clinician and psychotherapists need to understand the scope of BD involvement in creative activities so as to know the treatment approach. Many BD patients do not adhere to treatment or visit a therapist because they think their creative process will be impaired. Thus, some of the features of the creative profession as seen in BD may be counterproductive and harmful. There is no doubt about their positive value, but they need the right environment, support to express their creative nature in a more understandable circumstance. The psychotherapist, clinical psychologist, and other mental health professionals can help people with BD surmount the stressors and manage their creativity in a more professional manner. As Murray and Johnson (2010) noted, “five features warrant attention — reinforcement of emotionality, occupational stress, substance misuse, irregular sleep and activity schedules, and challenges to goal regulation” (p.725). These areas are critical in the management of BD creativity.
BD ambivalence towards treatment makes the disorder population a difficult one to manage. Expertise, understanding, empathy, and cooperation are important considerations in treatment engagement and adherence. A therapeutic relationship is necessary from the onset of engagement. Hypomania category may feel less inclined to undergo a diagnostic evaluation and treatment because they do not see any reason for it. This attitude creates a challenge for both the therapist and the person with BD. Medication is considered the primary treatment option for BD I. A new area of research is pointing in the direction of combination therapy involving psychosocial treatment with pharmacotherapy. Adjunctive treatment include cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT), psychoeducation, family focused therapy (FFT), and interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT). It is important that the therapist takes into consideration the social, religious, economic, and cultural elements in the person with BD before treatment.
In sum, bipolar disorder and its related conditions demonstrate an inherent creativity characteristic. This creative aspect of the disorder is a positive feature that is linked to the condition’s trait. People with BD have very elevated achievement drive. Their personality traits of openness to experience and extroversion drive them towards goal setting, neuroticism. Psychoticism, and impulsivity. Mood or positive affect are triggers in BD, causes them to perform better for reward. There are two broad areas of creativity, scientific and artistic, but BD individuals are more in the artistic field than the scientific. Positive and negative mood has effects on the creative process and cognitive imagery can be produced better than linguistic patterns. There is a neural basis in the brain for creativity. BD attitude to treatment is ambivalent.
References
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