The “Mad Genius”: How Creativity Relates to Mental Health and the Potential Role of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Research on creativity has yielded competing findings regarding whether it is beneficial or detrimental to individuals’ mental health outcomes. Studies on creativity have found associations with both positive (growth, purpose, and higher well-being) and negative (lower well-being, higher psychopathy) outcomes. This idea raises the question of whether there is a threshold whereby the pursuit of creative behavior becomes detrimental to the individual. Furthermore, what underlying mechanisms might contribute to both higher creativity and worse mental health outcomes? To address this question, personality traits that are commonly linked to creative expression (i.e. risk-taking, novelty seeking, and mind wandering) were examined as moderators in the association between creativity and mental health outcomes. Additionally, a neurodivergent classification was also assessed due to higher-than-average creativity scores seen in those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A cross-sectional study was conducted with 334 participants (160 of which consisted of individuals with ADHD) who completed an anonymous survey with measures of creativity, mental health, and personality traits. Findings and implications are discussed below.