Troubled
Project tackling the myth of the mad creative through psychological research and profiles of creative people.
The belief that madness fuels creativity has been deeply embedded within Western culture for centuries. Naturally, researchers have looked for scientific evidence of the theory since its inception — with three major studies serving as “proof” of the creativity-madness link. However, few supporters mention their conceptual and methodological flaws, as well as the significant psychological evidence that suggests the opposite.
"Troubled: The Myth of the Mad Creative" explores the myth from both a rational and emotional perspective, featuring the history of the myth as well as five profiles of creatives with mental illnesses. A product of over a year of research in creativity, empathy, and psychology, "Troubled" challenges the dangerous myth head-on, while presenting an informed, humanist alternate perspective.
Part One: The Rationals
The first section addresses the myth from a psychological perspective, providing an overview of the famous studies that contribute to its relevance in contemporary research. It also explains their flaws, the cognitive biases that fuel the myth, as well as the more reliable sources that suggest the opposite: that mental illness inhibits creativity.
Part Two: The Emotionals
The second section features profiles on five real creatives with mental illnesses. I conducted the interviews and wrote the profiles myself, and had the help of two photographers, Robin Clark and Johnny Santucci, for the imagery. I met each creative in their homes to discuss their creative process and how mental illness impacts their work. The overwhelming response was that mental illness was debilitating, not facilitating.
