Creativity in persons at‐risk for bipolar disorder—A pilot study

Abstract

Aim The association between bipolar disorder and creativity may be related to symptoms of the disorder itself or personality traits present before the onset. To further explore the relationship between creativity and clinical risk for bipolar disorder, creativity among individuals with a history of depressive disorder and varying risk for future (hypo‐)manic episodes was assessed and compared. Methods Thirty‐eight participants completed the diagnostic process, including Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM‐IV) Diagnosis, Hamilton Depression Scale and Young Mania Rating Scale. The early detection tools Bipolar Prodrome Symptom Interview and Scale‐Prospective (BPSS‐P), Early Phase Inventory for Bipolar Disorders (EPIbipolar) and bipolar‐at‐risk‐(BAR) criteria were used to assign participants into different at‐risk groups. Assessment of creativity included Barron‐Welsh Art Scale (BWAS) and Creative Achievement Questionnaire (CAQ). Scores were compared between low‐ and high‐risk groups for the development of bipolar disorder. Results Participants meeting BAR criteria scored significantly higher on the BWAS than the non‐BAR group (P = 0.03). EPIbipolar groups did not differ significantly in creativity scores. Participants with mood swings, especially when associated with increased activity and euphoric features, had significantly higher BWAS scores compared to individuals without mood swings (P = 0.04). Sleep disturbances, substance abuse, anxiety, ADHD and behavioural disturbances in childhood or adolescence had no effect on creativity level or achievement scores. Generalisability was reduced by small sample size and inclusion of depressive participants only considered at‐risk for bipolar disorder. Conclusions There is evidence of increased creativity, but not of higher creative achievements, in persons at‐risk of bipolar disorder. Mood swings are strongly associated with creativity.

Preventive psychiatry: a blueprint for improving the mental health of young people

“…chotic or bipolar disorders 38,39 , and this association has recently been confirmed at a genetic level 40 . Conversely, individuals without mental disorders do not necessarily have good mental health.…”

Spatial working memory, not IQ or executive function, discriminates early psychosis and clinically vulnerable creative individuals

“…Future research should seek to identify and provide longitudinal data on at risk creative populations. Although the pilot study by Burkhardt et al (2018) did not advocate screening for Bipolar Disorder in creative populations, our research suggests that further longitudinal studies are needed with this population to identify and determine risk over time. Due to the small creative sample size we were not able to distinguish between different domains of creativity for analysis.…”

Music therapy in the early detection and indicated prevention in persons at risk of bipolar disorders: State of knowledge and potential

“…Both Pfennig (2012) and Leopold et al (2013) mention the degree of creativity as a characteristic associated with risk. In a study by Burkhardt et al (2019), creativity was measured among 38 persons at risk for bipolar disorder using the Barron–Welsh Art Scale (BWAS; Barron, 1963) and the Creative Achievement Questionnaire (CAQ; Carson et al, 2005). The findings show, that ‘there is evidence of increased creativity, but not of higher creative achievements, in persons at-risk of bipolar disorder.…”

“…The findings show, that ‘there is evidence of increased creativity, but not of higher creative achievements, in persons at-risk of bipolar disorder. Mood swings are highly associated with creativity’ (Burkhardt et al, 2019: 1). These authors suggest that creativity should be further analysed regarding its predictive value and should ideally be addressed in the therapeutic process.…”