"Insanity is a symptom of greatness" Y'erdua Mahcaeb
I wonder if mental illness is a common link between great artists/thinkers (i.e. Van Gogh,
Sylvia Plath, Edgar Allan Poe, Nietzsche, etc.). Poe believed that all great artists have an
acuteness of the senses (as represented in his character, Usher, from The Fall of the House
of Usher). Van Gogh's art is defined by the unstableness and urgency caused by his mental
states. Plath shines with her novel The Bell Jar, a sad commentary on her mental illness.
Trent Reznor, who openly acknowledges his disturbed state of mind, creates musical masterpieces
unlike any other. As a person, illness is a burden, yet as an artist, it is a muse.
~tendency to have extreme LOVE/HATE relationships with associates, friends, family, boyfriends, teachers
and others
~patient exhibits obsessive tendencies or impulsive behavior such as OVEREATTING,
gambling, obsessive and excessive SPENDING, shoplifting, speed driving, PROMISCUITY, DRUG or
ALCOHOL abuse, and SUICIDE gestures
~tendency to show intense and inappropriate ANGER and RAGE with TEMPER TANTRUMS, constant
dwelling and RESENTMENT, feelings of DEPRIVATION and NIHILISM, and a (fear of) loss of control over
emotions
~patient may be MANIPULATING and may have PROBLEM TRUSTING OTHERS
~EMOTIONAL INSTABILITY with marked and frequent shifts to an EMPTY, LONELY depression or to
IRRITABILITY and ANXIETY
~identity disturbances with CONFUSION/UNCERTAINTY about SELF-IDENTITY, SEXUALITY, LIFE GOALS, and
VALUES, CAREER choices, FRIENDSHIPS
~tendency to go to EXTREMES in THINKING, FEELING, and behavior
~patient may practice SELF-MUTALATION (i.e. CUTTING, burning, wrist-banging)Mental Illnesses: Symptoms of BPD
~a deep seated feeling that one is FLAWED, DEFECTIVE, DAMAGED, or bad somehow
~BRIEF PSYCHOTIC EPISODES may occur under extreme stress with a LOSS OF REALITY or
BIZARRE BEHAVIOR and disruptions in work/relationships
~DEPRESSION is a major symptom of this disorder and it may cause much suffering or even
lead to SUICIDE ATTEMPTS