Chong Ho Yu's latest article focuses on the nuanced relationship between bipolar disorder and creativity.
¸£Àû¼§ Professor and Program Director of Data Science Chong Ho “Alex” Yu, Ph.D., is a coauthor on a newly published study in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, exploring the nuanced relationship between bipolar disorder (BD) and creativity.
Chong Ho Yu.
The article, titled “,” takes a deeper look at the long-standing belief over hundreds of years that mental illness is closely tied to creative genius. While historic figures such as Vincent van Gogh and Kurt Gödel are often cited as examples of this connection, Yu’s research suggests a more complex reality.
“Our team discovered that the underlying mechanisms of creativity aren’t fundamentally different for people with bipolar disorder (BD) compared to those without it. Instead, ambition—especially when paired with hard work and willingness to pursue goals—plays a major role in driving creative success,” said Yu.
The research team found that among individuals without BD, who were less ambitious, creativity was boosted when they smartly balanced exploring new ideas and exploiting known ones.
The article, coauthored with researchers from institutions in North America and Asia, contributes to a growing body of literature that challenges oversimplified notions of mental illness and creative potential.
“The study highlights the need for a more nuanced, multi-factor approach when trying to understand how creativity and bipolar disorder are connected, particularly across different cultures, noted Yu.
To read the full article in Frontiers in Psychology, .
