What criteria is being used to reference great minds of history to mental illness?

Question

Are we basing this on historical documentation of their erratic behavior? I have often heard Van Gogh, and Poe referred to as manic depressive/schizophrenic/ect. Albert Einstein as autistic/schizophrenic among numerous other dead greats now being diagnosed. Did we establish these assumptions to bring consolation to those suffering from mental illness, or in our pretentious faith in modern science decide to "label" any popular figure who's behavior did not conform to the standards of their time, and apply it to ours? I'm just curious and a little confused as the criteria for mental illness and specific diagnoses continues to "evolve" daily and remains subjective and inconsistent. Supposedly a "definititive diagnoses"can not be made without a psych eval(and even then...)
I've read that Joan of Arc was a schizophrenic. Jesus Christ 's documented behaviors make the rest look simply eccentric. Who's gonna touch that?

I want to give you all stars. A million for each of you.

Answer 1

These labels placed on historical figures are completely unsubstantiated and have no true value. If you look at the current manual used for diagnosis under the auspises of the APA (American Psychological Association) the DSM IV-TR there is a statement which says that the labels or diaqnoses noted in the manual are purely a form of short hand for mental health professionals and may descibe a group of behaviors which are consistent with a person with a mental disorder. It further states that the diagnosis can only be made after counseling and evaluation by the mental health provider. As no mental health provider can observe, speak with or in anyway directly evaluate any person who is deceased, any opinion of their behavior has no value, it is purely based on anecdotal stories from biographies and historical records. As we have seen many times over the years, biographies vary wildly depending on who writes them, and history is often revised to meet the needs of the writers of the history at the time. Taking your final example as a study we can note that the four gospels do not completely agree. They have similar themes and significant consistencies, but are not exact. So no evaluation is possible.

Answer 2

Entirely Subjective

"Mental illness" has trouble defining itself with living people let alone historical ones

My definition is if you cannot cope and have to live under care, nothing else.
Vangogh was in an institution for a while but the cause may have been more absinthe based than anything else

(i know what you are getting at and i am with you, mentalitys that cannot harmonize with the normal and ordinary certainly are the root of genius however it is unfair to classify them as mentally ill)

Answer 3

Excellent question and good deduction. Yes there are definite criteria for most mental illness's but you are right in that much of it is 'implied' due to their documented behaviour rather than having any factual basis. It would be interesting to see what would result from a mental evaluation of Jesus Christ wouldn't it?!!!!!! Check out 'Lyttle's Mental Health and Disorder; Thompson & Mathias' plus many others for references on specific conditions.

Answer 4

It is the case that many creative, intellectual or free thinking personalities are prone to mental or psychiatric disorders.
It has been suggested that those who have experienced visions and ecstatic states have a been subject to convulsive disorders.
There is a fine line between sanity and madness, we have histories of dictators to prove this.
I guess it all comes back to being able to think outside of the box. Maybe you need to step out of it occasionally to be able to do this.
However, most need to maintain or return to a rational state to make it coherent or comprehensible to others.

Answer 5

well, there is research that suggests that schizophrenia is often found in people with very high intellect,and indeed, well documented evidence of supreme artistic, musical etc capabilites of people with autism. I would not class cutting your ear off as 'erratic behaviour' personally and i doubt this and other action would bring consolation to people with mental health problems, as the existing sterotypical view of these people is damning enough as it is.