“Name One That Ain't Crazy

This famous lyric was delivered by rapper Kanye West to reference the association that has long been made between creatives and mental health issues. With the subject becoming increasingly reoccurring in recent times, clinical psychologist Loyiso Maqubela offers his expertise.

- Yolisa Mjamba

ARE PEOPLE WHO WORK IN CREATIVE SPACES MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES?

Difficulties of this nature aren’t unique to people who work in the arts. However, it can be argued that there could be added pressure in creative spaces because of the parameters that define the work.

There’s likely a need to create constantly as well; to be innovative and imaginative in order to produce, advertise or sell a product. The demand of having to constantly generate new ideas, explore these ideas and express them in an end product – all within a given time frame – may present added stress to creatives.

PEOPLE OFTEN SPEAK ABOUT THE LINK BETWEEN ‘GENIUS’ AND ‘CRAZY’. IS THERE ANY TRUTH TO IT? You’re referring to the fabled ‘Mad Genius’ hypothesis, where creative genius, eminence and psychopathology are intimately linked. This argument has existed since ancient Greek times, according to researchers. But, due to the vast array of mental illnesses that exist, you can’t establish a causal link between the two presently. What is clear is that there is some kind of relationship between mental illness and creativity, a link that researchers in psychology, as well as neuropsychology, are still examining. However, it’s still more nuanced than what is depicted in society.

WHAT CAUSES ARTISTS TO BECOME DEPRESSED, OR HAVE A MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL BREAKDOWN?

One could argue that being in the public eye and under pressure to continuously create groundbreaking material may contribute to increased levels of mental illness in creatives. This may be exacerbated by potentially harmful coping mechanisms, such as substance or alcohol abuse, and could lead to a breakdown. Genetics, social and economic contexts may also play a role.

WHAT SIGNS SHOULD WE BE LOOKING OUT FOR?