There’s a symphony of emotions behind every musician.

They possess intricate inner worlds, and music seems to be the best way for them to share it with others.

But sometimes they’re seen as eccentric and somewhat unconventional to the average person. They might perceive it as a deliberate aspect of their performance to attract large audiences, or these musicians simply enjoy maintaining an air of intrigue around themselves.

Is it all an act or there’s more to it than meets the eye?

Although many of these artists were never officially diagnosed, researchers have analyzed their behavior (or artists have openly disclosed it), revealing behavioral patterns that imply varying degrees of mental health challenges.

Here’s what lies behind the musical scene.

Mozart: Dependent Personality Disorder

In 2005, two researchers from the Department of Psychiatry of Geneva examined Mozart’s letters and biographies to see if there were any signs of mental illness.

They concluded that Mozart experienced depressive episodes, some of which were severe and aligned with the criteria found in the DSM-IV (now replaced by the DSM-V). Others claimed he had bipolar disorder, but from their research, there was not sufficient evidence to support it.

Nonetheless, there’s another diagnosis. He could’ve had a dependent personality disorder given his mood swings and impulsive conduct.

This disorder is characterized by an excessive need for others’ approval and a fear of being alone. Individuals with this disorder often have difficulty making decisions on their own and rely heavily on others for emotional and practical support.

In Mozart’s case, his close attachment to his father (who managed his life basically), the difficulty managing his affairs (always in huge debt), and his reactions to his wife’s absences are clues for this diagnosis.

But signs don’t constitute a diagnosis, we’ll just have to remain with mere speculations on this matter.

Beethoven: Bipolar Disorder

Ludwvig was a complex man, to say the least.

He had issues in many aspects of his life including his behaviors, moods, and relationships, but could this account for a personality disorder?

Several researchers (here and here) have pointed towards a bipolar disorder. This mental health condition is characterized by extreme mood swings, including episodes of mania (elevated mood and energy) and depression (low mood and energy).

When Beethoven went through manic episodes he’d show extreme irritability, aggression, increased energy, racing thoughts, and poor judgment. During depressive episodes, his symptoms included lasting sadness, guilt, and decreased energy.

One anecdote from Beethoven’s life that supports his bipolar disorder is his famous “Heiligenstadt Testament”. In 1802, Beethoven wrote a heartfelt letter to his brothers, known as the Heiligenstadt Testament, and in it, he expressed his deep despair and contemplated suicide due to his increasing deafness, which was a significant personal crisis for him. However, as time went on, he transitioned into a manic phase where he composed some of his most celebrated works, such as the “Eroica Symphony” and the “Waldstein Sonata.”

Beethoven’s life was incredibly tough, as he battled with his inner demons and faced profound loneliness due to his deafness.

Isolation may have driven him to turn heavily to alcohol, evidenced by the concrete signs of terminal cirrhosis in his autopsy, and could’ve been a way to deal with his mood swings, a common behavior among individuals with the condition.

Robert Schumann: Schizoaffective Disorder

Schumann maintained a fierce battle with his mind for decades.

When he was admitted to a mental asylum in Bonn after a suicide attempt in 1854, he was diagnosed with psychotic melancholia. However, reevaluating this historical case, the research done by Yasmeen Cooper and Mark Agius from the University of Cambridge would suggest that the schizoaffective disorder would better explain his symptoms.

While psychotic melancholia describes severe depression with features of psychosis, it doesn’t incorporate the modern distinctions between schizophrenia and mood disorders seen in schizoaffective disorder.

On the other hand, schizoaffective disorder is a mental health condition characterized by a combination of schizophrenia symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, along with mood disorder symptoms, like episodes of mania or depression.

Robert went through alternating periods of depressed mood from the ages of 18 to 38. He would also have episodes marked by elevated mood, increased energy, and intense focus on creative endeavors. These mood swings, going from depression to mania, took a heavy toll on him throughout his life.

He also experienced psychotic symptoms like auditory hallucinations, hearing the note A, and angelic and demonic voices. Additionally, he had delusions, such as believing he was being poisoned and threatened with metallic objects.

Picture dealing with mood swings and psychotic symptoms together. That’s incredibly tough to handle without the right treatment. It’s no surprise he attempted suicide to stop it all.

Fritz Kreisler & Charles Ives: “Positive” Psychopathy

In his book “The Psychopathy of Everyday Life: How Antisocial Personality Disorder Affects Us All”, doctor Martin Kandor mentions two composers having what is called positive psychopathy.

Positive psychopathy refers to individuals who exhibit some psychopathic traits (i.e. superficial charm, high self-esteem, lack of empathy, impulsivity) but use them for socially productive or beneficial purposes.

In the cases of Fritz Kreisler and Charles Ives, both renowned musicians, some argue that certain aspects of their personalities, like self-confidence and charisma, could be seen as psychopathic traits. However since these traits were channeled into their musical creativity and success, they benefited society through their contributions to classical music.

For instance, Kreisler would write music in the old style and instead of saying he composed it, he’d say he found it. And for Ives, he backdated his compositions to make them seem more avant-garde than they were.

Fun little lies, who’d blame them for it?

Ed Sheeran: Social Anxiety

Here’s a more actual case of mental illness among musicians.

Ed revealed a couple of years ago that he had “crippling social anxiety.” Ironically, someone who thrives on stage experiences fear in large groups, but mental illness doesn’t discriminate among people. He confessed that whenever people snap a picture or stare too long, he feels like a “zoo animal.”

This anxiety, he said, has been brewing for eight years, and it hit its peak after the whirlwind success of “Shape of You” and “Divide” in 2017.

But he has made changes to deal with it. He tours with only a handful of his closest people, giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “less is more.” And he’s narrowed down his inner circle, moving out of London to escape the drain of fame.

It’s a quest to find balance in a world that can’t get enough of his music.

Lady Gaga: Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome

We’ve known Lady Gaga for her eccentric outfits and amazing music over the years but there’s more to her than meets the eye.

A couple of years ago, she revealed that she suffered from PTSD as a result of being raped multiple times when she was 19 years old. She also acknowledged that her failure to address this trauma played a role in the development of this mental illness. There was no time, she said, as she quickly gained fame and started a hectic life for years that drew her away from addressing her problem.

This mental health condition can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event (rape in Gaga’s case). It’s characterized by symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and intrusive thoughts related to the traumatic experience, often leading to significant distress and impairment in daily life.

Lady Gaga started feeling intense pain throughout her body mimicking what she experienced after being raped. She said, “And I realized it was the same pain that I felt when the person who raped me dropped me off pregnant on the corner at my parent’s house because I was vomiting and sick.”

Since her revelation, she has been a strong advocate for mental health awareness.

Are artists more susceptible to mental illness?

We’ve heard of the idea of the mad genius many times but is it always the case?

According to a 2019 study at UCLA, the answer is no.

These researchers wanted to know if “Big-C creatives,” those famous artists and scientists who’ve reached international stardom, are more likely to grapple with psychopathology. They found that individuals without a history of mental disorders scored higher on creative thinking tests compared to those who had battled psychiatric diagnoses.

The study also uncovered that visual artists, a subgroup of these Big-C creatives, displayed a higher incidence of something called “schizotypal” personality traits. These were eccentric behaviors and a tendency to entertain unusual ideas.

Thus, these people are just odd to our average eyes, not mentally ill.

Final thoughts

When we look at a sheet of music or listen to a live performance, let’s remember that the music we cherish is created by individuals who carry their own life stories, which may include battles with mental illness over the years.

Recognizing this helps us understand that behind every piece of music, there’s a person with a unique set of complexities and experiences. It encourages empathy and a deeper appreciation of the artistry that emerges from their journey.

This level of creativity doesn’t necessarily come with mental illness but that doesn’t mean that musicians can suffer deeply from what they’ve experienced. Music allows them to transform all those positive and negative emotions and change not only their lives but also ours.

As we delight in their melodies, let’s remain mindful that beyond the music lies a person, with their struggles and triumphs, contributing their essence to the harmonies that touch our souls.