Neurotic? You could be a creative genius

210210: VINCENT VAN GOGH

210210: VINCENT VAN GOGH

Published Aug 28, 2015

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London - If you are tense, moody and anxious, take heart. You could be part of an elite club that includes Vincent van Gogh and Sir Isaac Newton.

Scientists believe that neurotic misery and a vivid imagination go hand-in-hand.

It could explain why so many original thinkers, such as the famously highly-strung Van Gogh, suffered for their art. Film maker Woody Allen is another highly creative worrier, as were Sir Isaac and Charles Darwin.

Now, researcher Adam Perkins from King’s College London thinks he knows what fuelled their brilliance – they thought too much. His theory states neurotics have overactive imaginations that blow threats out of proportion.

They then brood on how to solve the problem – sparking creativity. Dr Perkins, whose theory is outlined in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences, said: “If you score high on neuroticism, you are at risk of anxiety disorders. Yet, it is also associated with creativity.”

Daily Mail

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