The Tortured Artist: A Myth Debunked
The “tortured artist” is a common stereotype that views emotional pain and suffering as the
necessary conditions of artistic genius. It portrays artists and creatives as individuals who
are inherently troubled and tormented, who are unstable, unreliable, and unpredictable.
Their lives are plagued with addiction, self-destruction, and mental illness. The tortured
artist trope can discourage people from pursuing creative careers, fearing the personal toll
it might take in them and their loved ones. In this scenario, the absence of mental health
struggles may signal a lack of talent.
There are reasons to believe in this stereotype; Vicent Van Gogh and Edgar Allan Poe are
notable examples of the many acclaimed artists who are known to have struggled with
lifelong, severe mental illness. However, few scientific studies support the idea that artists
suffer particularly from mental illness. Here is what we need to keep in mind:
● Link to greatness: Some evidence suggests an association between certain mental
health conditions and creativity. However, it does not mean that mental illness
directly causes artistic genius. Many artists have excellent mental well-being, and
not all people with mental illnesses are highly creative.
● Simplified conditions: Each person’s mental health illnesses or conditions are
unique. Similar symptoms can affect creative flow differently.
● Complex Link: There are many factors that can contribute to one’s self-expression
and foster one’s uniqueness, and mental health is just one of those many factors
linked to self-expression (along with gender, sexuality, race, etc.)
● Potential Benefits: Some artists might find their creativity helps them manage
mental health challenges. Creative expression can be a healthy outlet for difficult
emotions.
Tortured artist trope may negatively affect the mental health of artists:
● Internalized Pressure: Artists might feel pressured to conform to the stereotype,
neglecting their mental health or engaging in self-destructive behaviors.
● Imposter Syndrome: The myth can fuel self-doubt, making artists question their
legitimacy if they don’t experience constant torment.
● Fear of Seeking Help: The association between mental illness and creativity might
discourage artists from seeking help when they struggle, thinking that therapy may
cause them to lose their creative spark.
Becoming comfortable with who you are as a person
Inner work, learning to experience your emotions as they are, may benefit the creative
process as it might any aspect of your life that is meaningful to you. How do you embrace
all the parts that make you who you are, including, but not limited to, your mental health
conditions? As you become aware of your relationship with your mental health conditions,
you may want to ask: how is it helping you, and how is it harmful?
Therapy is one way to enrich your emotional experience. It is a space to process and
access difficult emotions that can be channeled into creative expression and to bring
continuity to your creative flow. It may help you appreciate an aspect of yourself that you
weren’t aware of, what makes you a complex and unique individual, and it may help you
choose to live in ways that speak to you, regardless of stereotypes.
To learn more about the specific issues often addressed in therapy and areas of expertise
at West Therapy Group, click here. Or book a free consultation with any member of our
team here.
