Dr Ruth Richards

Industry insight The expert says creativity leads to improved not worsened health…

What was the thinking behind the book of essays you edited, Everyday Creativity?

I believe there are serious misunderstandings about creativity and mental health that can even be dangerous to people. The real message is about health, not illness – even with a personal or family history of a mood disorder.

What are you thoughts on the condition of madness as an elevated state, just as the Romantics believed?

The message is about moderation, balance, harmony, if you will, between a creative source of inspiring thoughts and the executive functions to use these productively. That is, a balance of divergent thinking and convergent thinking. We found at Harvard Medical School a “creative advantage” that peaks during better functioning times. Yet some people think the sicker the better. Too many people think that therapy might hurt their creativity or they may stop taking very important medications. This is not the way to increase creativity.

Is the idea of a tortured artist, then, something of a selffulfilling prophecy?

Creativity is seen as healing by many art therapists, expressive artists, humanistic psychologists and multiple others. It might even be preventative for certain persons who are “at risk.” So this misunderstanding about tortured artists may not only put people at risk, but also keep them from the treatments that may help them feel immensely better and bring out underlying talents and abilities to contribute to our society.