Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) was one of many artists of the past afflicted with a form of mental illness. Although his diagnosis is still debated today, many believe that he suffered from bipolar disorder. His hypothesized diagnosis is based on his history of suffering multiple distinct episodes of depression followed by periods of high energy and enthusiasm, psychotic breakdowns and delusional episodes. Although he did frequently drink to excess, smoked to excess, had a poor diet and also indulged in consuming Absinthe, the latter addictions could possibly have been a form of self medication that is commonly seen in people diagnosed with bipolar disorder and may not have been the cause of his mental illness like some have come to believe.

Regardless of what the actual diagnosis is, Vincent van Gogh has shared a world through his paintings that truly resonates with something deep in the mind. Perhaps this is the outcome of articulating mental illness into art and if so, maybe there is something to be learned from mental illness that can help us collectively expand our sometimes narrow points of view. I know for myself that there have been moments during depressed and hypomanic episodes where the world has communicated with me in a similar way that his paintings do. A communication filled with ambiance, atmosphere, mood and intense feeling.