The idea that artistic creativity and mental illness are connected has fascinated people for centuries. But is there any scientific basis for this belief? A recent study has sought to provide more empirical evidence on this topic by analyzing the mental health of some of the most creative individuals across different fields. The study, published in the journal Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, found that famous artists indeed had higher lifetime rates of mental disorders than both scientists and athletes, supporting the notion that there might be a connection between artistic…