Creativity and Madness Aren’t What They Seem

Chris Thomas (Letters, May 3) appears to have missed the point of the Times editorial (April 21) “It’s a Mad, Creative World.”

Creativity does not cause madness, and madness does not cause creativity. Creativity gives the appearance of madness. Creative people, by trying new solutions and going different paths, are labeled “mad” by those who are comfortable only with what they recognize.

People with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia are rarely creative. We must differentiate between creativity and fantasy. Everyone daydreams, but not everyone can translate their daydreams into creative actions. People with schizophrenia may have a great deal of fantasy but without the rational control necessary for creativity.

Thomas emphasizes the difficult road that creative people travel when they experience rejection for their viewpoints. This does indeed cause some suffering and stress, but so does life.

More important are the coping abilities that one learns in life, early and late. By and large, creative people are better at coping, and therefore are better adjusted than non-creative people.

BERNARD VIRSHUP

EVELYN VIRSHUP

Woodland Hills