Depression and creativity — The case of the german poet, scientist and statesman J. W. v. Goethe

Holm‐Hadulla, Rainer Matthias; Roussel, Martin; Hofmann, Frank

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2010.05.007

Cited by 27 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 8 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…However, some degree of incoherence seems to favour cognitive and emotional activity. This corresponds to psychological and phenomenological studies, showing that some degree of anxiety and depressed mood may enhance creative performances (Holm-Hadulla, Roussel, & Hofmann, 2010).…”

Section: (Neuro-)biological Aspects Of Creativitysupporting

confidence: 84%

Counselling, psychotherapy and creativity

Holm‐Hadulla

Hofmann

2012

Asia Pacific Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Creativity, the activity to construct something new and useful, is an elementary aspect of life. This article advocates the position that creative elements are also present in counselling and psychotherapy. Creativity can be found in relational, behavioural, cognitive, psychodynamic, systemic and existential approaches to counselling and psychotherapy. It is shown that the shaping of the therapeutic relationship as the basis of every successful counselling or psychotherapeutic process is a creative challenge. On the cognitive-behavioural level, creativity also plays an important role in developing and implementing new perspectives and behaviours. Psychodynamically, the verbalization of emotions and unconscious wishes and conflicts can also be considered as a creative task. Finally, on an existential level, counselling and psychotherapy appear as a means to form novel and useful constructions of reality. Recognizing and utilizing creative resources of counselling and psychotherapy correspond to a 'creative attitude', which is an effective factor in counselling and psychotherapy.

show abstract

Section: (Neuro-)biological Aspects Of Creativitysupporting

confidence: 84%

Counselling, psychotherapy and creativity

Holm‐Hadulla

Hofmann

2012

Asia Pacific Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In an earlier paper, we have described Goethe's psychopathology in detail [5]. Here it will suffice to note that Goethe suffered several depressive episodes and described constant, sometimes subliminal dysthymia.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…After the breakup with his fiancée, he regains feelings of self-efficacy and a sense of coherence through his political, administrative, and scientific work at the court of Weimar. As was to happen once again after the 3 or 4 depressive episodes in later life, he experiences his convalescence as a ‘re-birth', returning from the ‘realms of death' [5]. …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Goethe's Anxieties, Depressive Episodes and (Self-)Therapeutic Strategies: A Contribution to Method Integration in Psychotherapy

Holm‐Hadulla

2012

Psychopathology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: In psychiatry and psychotherapy, abstract scientific principles need to be exemplified by narrative case reports to gain practical precision. Goethe was one of the most creative writers, productive scientists, and effective statesmen that ever lived. His descriptions of feelings, emotions, and mental states related to anxieties, depressive episodes, dysthymia, and creativity are unique in their phenomenological precision and richness. His life and work can thus serve as an excellent example enhancing our understanding of the relationship between anxiety, depression and creativity. Furthermore, he described (self-)therapeutic strategies that reinforce and refine modern views. Methods: Goethe's self-assessments in his works and letters, and the descriptions by others are analyzed under the perspective of current psychiatric classification. His therapeutic techniques and recommendations are compared with cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and existential psychotherapy to amplify modern concepts of psychotherapy. Results: From a scientific perspective, several distinctive depressive episodes can be diagnosed in Goethe's life. They were characterized by extended depressive moods, lack of drive, and loss of interest and self-esteem combined with social retreat. Goethe displayed diffuse and phobic anxieties as well as dysthymia. His (self-)therapeutic strategies were: (a) the systematic use of helping alliances, (b) behavioral techniques, (c) cognitive reflection on meanings and beliefs, (d) psychodynamic and psychoanalytic remembering, repeating, and working through, and (e) existential striving for self-actualization, social commitment, meaning, and creativity. Conclusions: In Goethe's life, creative incubation, illumination, and elaboration appear to have been associated with psychic instability and dysthymia, sometimes with depressive episodes in a clinical sense. On the one hand, his creative work was triggered by anxieties, dysthymia, and depressive moods. On the other hand, his creativity helped him to cope with psychic disorders and suicidal tendencies. Furthermore, Goethe described psychotherapeutic strategies that resemble modern techniques. He integrated relational, behavioral, cognitive, psychodynamic, and existential techniques and attitudes. These modern psychotherapeutic approaches can be exemplified and enhanced by reflecting upon the (self-)therapeutic efforts of one of the most creative persons that have ever lived. Hermeneutics as the art of communication and understanding derived from Goethe's (self-)therapy and creative works can serve as a meta-theoretical framework for the integration of different psychotherapeutic approaches.

show abstract

“…Already since the classical period in European culture, there have been descriptions of psychological crises, adjustment disorders, anxiety and depressive episodes, experienced by students of colleges and universities. An interesting phenomenological insight in the interplay of anxieties, depression episodes, dysthymia and creativity during studies can already be found in the case of the politician, scientist and poet J.W.v.Goethe [23,32]. Nowadays, mental health of students draws increasingly the attention of the scientific research community.…”

Section: Current Data On Mental Health Of Students Internationallymentioning

confidence: 99%

The ABCDE-Model of counseling and psychotherapy: An integrative approach developed from clinical practice at a counseling service for students

Koutsoukou-Argyrak

Hofmann

Kreß

et al. 2016

SHS Web of Conferences

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. A comprehensive model of integrative psychotherapy that has been derived from clinical practice at the Counseling Service for Students of the University of Heidelberg is outlined. The ABCDE-model of integrative psychotherapy is based on established therapeutic methods and is composed of the dimensions of Alliance, Behavior, Cognitions, Dynamics and Existentials. Based on the therapeutic alliance and the general principles of understanding and communication, it comprises cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and existential elements and employs hermeneutics as a meta-theoretical framework. The evaluation of integrative counseling according to the ABCDE-model in a naturalistic single-group pre-post design demonstrated a clinically significant improvement within a rather short number of sessions. Therefore, the integrative model of psychotherapy is an important contribution to evidence-based practice. Moreover, models of training in psychotherapy and counseling for the better education of future therapists can be developed on the basis of the ABCDE-model.

show abstract

Depression and creativity — The case of the german poet, scientist and statesman J. W. v. Goethe

Cited by 27 publications

References 8 publications

Counselling, psychotherapy and creativity

Counselling, psychotherapy and creativity

Goethe's Anxieties, Depressive Episodes and (Self-)Therapeutic Strategies: A Contribution to Method Integration in Psychotherapy

The ABCDE-Model of counseling and psychotherapy: An integrative approach developed from clinical practice at a counseling service for students

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About