Do you think a mentally ill person can use his overheightened senses to his advantage?

Question

For example Van Gogh

Answer 1

Yes, I think that there have been many people in the past that have been considered mentally ill, but they have proven to make huge discoveries or bless us with their artistic abilities. Some autisic children can solve some of the hardest math equations known. It is already taking place and has been.

Answer 2

Yes. I am studying the life of the late Jaco Pastorius, generally regarded as the world's greatest bass guitarist. He suffered from bipolar personality disorder, and during his manic phase, would develop musical insights that confound the masters to this day.
Even though he was cognizant of his illness, the medication used to treat the condition dulled his senses; so he often refused the treatment with sometimes devastating consequences. I've often marveled at the similarity between van Gogh and Pastorius. I hope you take an interest in this incredibly gifted musician, and the forces that ruled his psyche:

http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?AID=50940&T=3362

Answer 3

Mentally ill???? Or just different?
Sir Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Thomas Jeffferson, Henry David Thoreau, and even Bill Gates have been thought to have been born with Asperger's Syndrome and therefore "mentally ill"

Answer 4

Absolutely! But it is hard for mentally ill people to be selective or disciplined in their choices of expression. That is where I think we could develope as a society. Instead of sticking these individuals in state hospitals doped up on haldol, or allowing them to end up in prison, we start educating everybody to spot the signs of mental illness early, and help them to find constructive and creative outlets for their personalities. You know the old saying: "There's a fine line between brilliance and insanity."

Answer 5

Did you ever see the movie "Rain Man" ! Its not that he used that capability for his own advantage, but it does show that even highly disabled people are still very special in some way !

Answer 6

You know how many poets / artists / musicians have some sort of depressive thing going on? Stuff like that happens.

Answer 7

Yes

I think it takes focus and a lot of effort but can be done.

especially in the arts!

Answer 8

Yes they do, but that is also the time when they are getting into trouble with friends, family, creditors... But they are creative.

Answer 9

Depending on his level of awareness, yes.

Answer 10

No overheightened senses there.