Mental illness is often associated with stigma, suffering, mystery, and confusion however, there are some possible benefits hidden amid the diagnoses. However, parallels can be drawn to connect creativity to mental illnesses. People dealing with a mental disorder often have silver linings to their struggles because of their struggles. People dealing with mental illnesses such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or Major Depression are often more empathetic, adaptable, creative, observant, and have a better perspective, to name a few. Besides the strange silver linings within a mental disorder diagnosis, the arts can be a healthy means of coping, expressing your feelings and thoughts, connecting, and relaxing. Is this just a coincidence that…show more content… As Helen Keller said, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” (Famous Quotes, 2009) Robert Schumann not only left his legacy but also his musical gifts, many of which contain personal emotions, thoughts, and connections, possibly made richer and closer because of his struggles. Since Robert Schumann was born two hundred and five years ago we can’t be sure of his diagnosis or the relationship of his music to his diagnosis. We can look at the connection between his most prolific periods and his manic periods, we can examine the depth and soul of his music to his struggles mentally and personally, and we can look at his letters and relationships and work. Throughout history we can see artists throwing their struggles into their art whether it is composing, performing, painting, or writing; they cope with and express their suffering through their art so, essentially, their suffering helps create and irreplaceable art while art makes helps them cope. So although it is unfortunate that anyone has to suffer from mental illness, perhaps we can take comfort in the silver lining of the creations and intimate expressions that people can share via art. “He transformed the pain of his tormented life into ecstatic beauty.” (Simpson,
