Psychological disorders
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Nov 24, 2024
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Psychological disorders
The Struggles of Vincent van Gogh: A Portrait of Depression and Mental Turmoil
Background
Introduction
Vincent van Gogh is among the most prominent people who have suffered from
psychological problems, alongside geniuses such as Isaac Newton and leaders such as Abraham
Lincoln and John F. Kennedy. He was a well-known post-impressionist painter born on March
30, 1853, in Groot-Zundert, Netherlands. Throughout his turbulent life, Van Gogh faced
numerous mental and emotional obstacles that influenced his work and personal experiences
(Nolen et al., 2020). This paper will look at the life and psychological challenges of Vincent van
Gogh, a well-known artist, and illuminate the impact of his mental illness on his life and artistic
pursuits. Van Gogh's battle with depression shows the tremendous impact of mental illnesses on
people's life, creative expression, and social connections. It can help acquire insight into the
complex relationship between mental health and artistic brilliance by evaluating his background,
symptoms, treatment-seeking behavior, and the repercussions of his mental illness.
Summary of Vincent van Gogh's life
Vincent van Gogh was raised in a strict religious household as the son of a middle-class
family. Despite his apparent artistic brilliance, his early career was riddled with personal
disappointments and failures. Van Gogh found it difficult to maintain permanent friendships and
love connections, which resulted in strained social ties. While his family recognized his artistic
ability, they did not fully understand his emotional issues, which exacerbated his sense of
solitude (Moss, 2020). Throughout his life, he was afflicted by psychiatric disease, and evidence
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suggests that he suffered from manic depression, a persistent mental condition that is thought to
affect many creative people. In the year 1890, he committed suicide.
The Description of the Disorder
What the disorder was and its symptoms
Vincent van Gogh suffered from depression, a basic psychiatric illness. Depression is a
mood condition marked by persistent melancholy, hopelessness, and a loss of pleasure or interest
in activities. Van Gogh suffered from depression, emotional instability, anger, withdrawal from
social activities, and insomnia. These depressed spells frequently made him unable to paint or
sustain creative activity for extended periods. According to Novitsky (2019), Vincent van Gogh
was so afflicted by the symptoms that he said in one of his final letters, "If I could have worked
without this accursed disease, what things I might have done," referring to the accomplishments
he may have made if he had been well.
Treatment-Seeking Behavior
Despite being aware of the seriousness of his condition, Vincent van Gogh's attempts to
seek therapy were inconsistent and had minimal success. He attempted to consult with several
doctors and psychiatrists, but mental health awareness and treatment options were limited in the
nineteenth century. The existing treatments at the time, such as sedatives and electroconvulsive
therapy, frequently aggravated his symptoms or were useless in treating his depression. During
Van Gogh's lifetime, the medical landscape lacked the full understanding and breakthroughs in
mental health care available today (Lewis, 2017). The prevalent stigma surrounding mental
illness hampered the efficacy of his sought therapy. As a result, Van Gogh dealt with his
depressed periods with little help from the medical community.
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Impact on Van Gogh's Life
Vincent van Gogh's life was profoundly affected by depression, which manifested itself
in different facets of his well-being and relationships. He struggled with frequent bouts of self-
doubt, a pervading sense of worthlessness, and a persistent melancholy that left an everlasting
imprint on his art. Van Gogh's sadness influenced not just his emotional state but also his artistic
expression. It contributed to his intriguing imagery, dark and melancholy tones, and the sheer
intensity of emotions depicted in his paintings (Fischer, 2020). The introspection and depth of
feeling from his depressed experiences found resonance in his art, allowing it to serve as a
channel for his inner issues. Van Gogh's artistic legacy is inextricably linked to his battle with
depression, as his masterpieces continue to captivate and elicit a profound sense of empathy and
understanding for those facing similar mental health difficulties.
Furthermore, Van Gogh's depression had far-reaching implications regarding personal
suffering and its impact on his artistic legacy. He sadly committed suicide at the age of 37 in
1890, driven to desperation by his ongoing mental torment (Jessie, 2017). Van Gogh's depressive
troubles are a sad reminder of the devastating toll mental illness can take on individuals,
emphasizing the need for increased mental health support and understanding.
Conclusion
Vincent van Gogh's life and artistic path are a heartbreaking reminder of depression's significant
impact on human relationships, creative expression, and overall well-being. His experiences shed
light on the intricacies of mental illness and its effects on individuals (Jessie, 2017). We can
create empathy and understanding for those facing similar issues today by studying the struggles
of renowned figures such as Van Gogh. Van Gogh's narrative underlines the importance of
raising mental health awareness, eliminating stigma, and developing strong support networks to
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promote the well-being of people suffering from mental illnesses. We can create a more
compassionate and inclusive society that supports and uplifts those affected by psychological
problems if we continue to promote mental health (Moss, 2020). Van Gogh's legacy is a tribute to
the power of art and tenacity, encouraging us to advocate for mental health and work toward a
future where people can find the help they need to thrive.
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References
Fischer, S. N. (2020).
Breadth of Vincent Van Gogh: An Analysis of Artistic Motivation
.
https://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu:747783/datastream/PDF/view
Jessie, S. (2017).
A Picture of Health: Art and Medicine in the Lives of Late 19th-Century Artists
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Vincent van Gogh
.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/867/
Lewis, B. (2017). A deep ethics for mental difference and disability: the 'case of Vincent van
Gogh.
Medical Humanities
,
43
(3), 172–176. https://mh.bmj.com/content/43/3/172.abstract
Moss, S. (2020).
Metaphors of Mental Illness: How Emily Dickinson and Vincent van Gogh
Understood and Expressed Their Personal Battles with Depression
.
https://pillars.taylor.edu/english-student/6/
Nolen, W. A., Van Meekeren, E., Voskuil, P., & Van Tilburg, W. (2020). New vision on the
mental problems of Vincent van Gogh; results from a bottom-up approach using (semi-)
structured diagnostic interviews.
International Journal of Bipolar Disorders
,
8
, 1–9.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40345-020-00196-z
Novitsky, M. (2019).
Vincent van Gogh's Self-Portraits
.
https://scholar.umw.edu/student_research/284/