The psychology of creativity is a field that has less research than other areas of psychology because it is fairly new. Whenever I decide to start a new article, I like to begin by looking at the research that already exists within the field of psychology and creativity. In this case we are researching, creative people and seasonal affective disorder, otherwise known as SAD. What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?![]() Background on seasonal affective disorder. This is a diagnosis that exists in the DSM (diagnostic and statistical manual) index of all the mental health disorders as identified by the American psychological association. Seasonal affective disorder, generally indicates mood and behavior changing with the seasons. Specifically, when we talk about SAD, we tend to mean the depression of mood and behavior that occurs during the winter season. When I began looking into the psychology of creativity, creative people, and SAD, it was with the question of how creative people were impacted by SAD as compared to the general population. I wanted to know what research there is on the subject. Research About Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)What I found was a research article published in 2020 by Wim H. Winthorst, Elisabeth H. Bos, Annelieke M. Roest and Peter de Jonge. This project was done as an Internet-based crowdsourcing project on the Dutch general population with a sample size of over 5000 people. What the study was looking for was how mood and behavior change from season to season, including summer, spring, winter, and fall. Specifically, this study was also interested in the character trait of neuroticism, and how this moderated any behavior or mood changes of participants. The main finding of the study was that there was no significant changes found amongst participants mood and behavior between seasons. In other words, the study found no significant existence of seasonal affect disorder amongst the participants in their study. However, the study did find a significant change in mood and behavior between the seasons, amongst participants, who tested highly with the trait of neuroticism. Neuroticism and Creative Personalities![]() There is a reason that this stood out to me. Not the least of which that this study is discrediting a major diagnosis frequently used in the DSM, but also that the study attributes the existence of this diagnosis to existing only well let's say, mainly, if not only, amongst those who also exhibit the character trait of neuroticism. Neuroticism is significant to me because this is a personality trait that those with creative personalities also score highly on increase in personality tests. If you are interested in specifically what the character trait of neuroticism means, before, jumping to conclusions, or worrying, there is more information on this blog, and on the create well minute cast YouTube channel about the significance of the character trait of neuroticism. Creative People Impacted by SADSet aside, there are some interesting conjectures that I am making from this study. First, it seems that my original question, that creative people, or if creative people are significantly impacted by seasonal affective disorder is true, and, in fact, creative people may be the only, according to the study, people impacted by seasonal affective disorder. This, leads me to conjecture number two: that, perhaps, if you suffer from seasonal affective disorder, this could be an indicator of creative personality traits in reverse. Conclusions, an a Call to the Creative CommunityI realize I am reading a research done by someone else, two years ago and making a possible conclusions from their studies conclusions. However, to me, they are very compelling. I am interested in hearing the thoughts of the creative community, educators, researchers, and others in the field, and what your thoughts and experiences are on the matter. Interested in More Psychology for Creative People?![]() If you are a creative person, are interested in the psychology of creativity, have questions about either of these, or would like to have a free consultation to talk more about anything that you have read on this website and/or in this article, I would love to talk to you. We can even discuss concierge counseling services as an option. Here are some steps you can take from this article to learn more: 1) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed. 2) Join my Artists in Residency Program. This is a Free, Online Community of Artists where you can build support, accountability and a network of Creative People as a stepping stone towards reconnecting and committing to your authentic, creative self. 3) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages from 150$- let's get started with one that is right for you. More Articles like the Psychology of Creativity, Creative People and SAD:Psychology of Creativity During the Holidays, Tools for Creative People: Spoon Theory, Grants for Artists, Creative People and Abandonment, Intense Pressure for Creative People, Creative People and the Urge to Shop, Creative People Who Don't Know Who They Are, Concierge Counseling for Creative People, Creative People with Headaches and Stomach Aches, References:
Seasonality of mood and affect in a large general population sample From: PLoS ONE (Vol. 15, Issue 9) Peer-Reviewed Authors: Wim H. Winthorst, Elisabeth H. Bos, Annelieke M. Roest and Peter de Jonge Date: Sept. 14, 2020 As you are learning about your creative personality, and embracing your strength, you will begin to make other changes in how you live in what serves you and what doesn’t- what parts of your life were chosen for others, and what parts of your life you chose for yourself. Creative People and Holiday ValuesLet’s consider the upcoming holidays. In mainstream society in the United States, at least, they have become about commercialism, conformity and displays of wealth. We try to give, eat, decorate and display, bigger, better, and more, it seems, with every passing year. Without making value statements about it- that is not my purpose here- I want to instead, take a moment for you to consider what aspects of your current holiday celebrations serve you, and which don’t. A good tool for doing so, is through mindfulness. Mindfulness as a Tool for Creative People![]() By now you have had some introduction to what mindfulness is and some ways to use it in your life. Mindfulness is beautifully simple and uncomplicated. When we are mindful, we are quieting the mind and focusing on our present experiences. Even those of us that feel seasoned and successful in mindfulness practices can get diverted from this state of being during the Holiday Season. Expectations vs. RealityPart of the problem with the Holidays is we want them to “be” something. Therefore, we have expectations for them. We compare out and feel pressure to deliver certain things to those around us. Usually these are with the intention of giving the perfect Holiday Season to others. This year, I give you permission to be a little more selfish. Ask yourself what makes the Holidays memorable and special for you? Of the list of things you “have to do” for your Holiday Season- why do items make that list? Let’s make mindful choices this year for how and why we celebrate. Try this simple exercise (as always I advise not to do these exercises without the guidance of therapy sessions- so let’s schedule one of those, too!): Simple Holiday Mindfulness Exercise for Creatives![]() Make a list, drawing or representation of your choosing of what you plan to do for this Holiday Season. If that is already too overwhelming (hmm) then choose one holiday for the exercise. When you are finished, go through each thing you plan to do and “mini-meditate” on it. Consider it. Scan your emotions, scan your body. As you consider this thing, how does your body react? With tension? With warmth? What are your emotions associated with this thing? Stress, joy, something else? Ask yourself, why do you do this thing during the Holidays? For yourself, for others? Allow your mind to consider and hold this information as you think about this first thing. Your goal this year is a peaceful, mindful, happy Holiday Season. Does this thing fit into that picture? Continue the exercise as you go through all your plans. Amend them to take away or add what brings you closer to a more peaceful and enjoyable Holiday Season. Allow yourself to feel the anxiety of eliminating things you might be accustomed to doing from your list. Give yourself permission to do something different. Focusing Less on "Perfect"So often when there are big calendar events like during the Holiday Season, we become so focused on outcomes and making them “perfect,” we miss enjoying them for what they really can be: peace, happiness, family, love, fulfillment and more. This year your new Holiday Tradition is yourself: create a more mindful Holiday Season. Ready to Learn More Psychology for Creative People?![]() If you are a creative person, are interested in the psychology of creativity, have questions about either of these, or would like to have a free consultation to talk more about anything that you have read on this website and/or in this article, I would love to talk to you. Here are some steps you can take from this article to learn more: 1) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free therapy or creativity coaching consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed. 2) Join my Artists in Residency Program. This is a Free, Online Community of Artists where you can build support, accountability and a network of Creative People as a stepping stone towards reconnecting and committing to your authentic, creative self. 3) Book a Creativity Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages from 150$- let's get started with one that is right for you. More Articles Like Psychology of Creativity During the Holidays:Tools for Creative People: Spoon Theory, Grants for Artists, Creative People and Abandonment, Intense Pressure for Creative People, Creative People and the Urge to Shop, Creative People Who Don't Know Who They Are, Concierge Counseling for Creative People, Creative People with Headaches and Stomach Aches, Creation Translation
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get more from The Creativity CoursesLiking educational topics and knowing what's hot in creativity? Creatively has online courses, with an interactive creative community, coaching sessions and more in the Creativity Courses. Want these blogposts in a newsletter? Subscribe here, and get a free gift. Cindy Cisnerosis a Creativity Coach, Creative Therapist and Professional Artist in Sykesville, Maryland. She is an expert straddling the realms of arts, creativity research, psychology, therapy, and coaching. She provides Online Creativity Counseling in Maryland and Virginia, and Online Creativity Coaching throughout the USA, Canada and the UK tailored for the discerning, imaginative, artistic, and neurodiverse. The information provided in this blog is from my own clinical experiences and training. It is intended to supplement your clinical care. Never make major life changes before consulting with your treatment team. If you are unsure of your safety or wellbeing, do not hesitate to get help immediately.
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