scholarly journals New vision on the mental problems of Vincent van Gogh; results from a bottom-up approach using (semi-)structured diagnostic interviews

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Willem A. Nolen ◽  
Erwin van Meekeren ◽  
Piet Voskuil ◽  
Willem van Tilburg
Keyword(s):  
Medical Condition ◽  
Van Gogh ◽  
Vincent Van Gogh ◽  
Diagnostic Interviews ◽  
Mental Problems ◽  
History Of ◽  
New Vision ◽  
Dutch Painter ◽  
Psychotic Features ◽  
Depressive Episodes

Abstract Background On July 29, 1890 at the age of 37 years, the Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh died from the consequences of a suicide attempt with a gun 2 days earlier. Since then many medical and psychological theories were suggested about what had happened to Van Gogh. Aim To present an overview of the history of the mental problems of Van Gogh and the most likely diagnoses. Method (Semi-)structured diagnostic interviews were applied to three art historians who are very familiar with Van Gogh from his correspondence and other sources as well as a neuropsychiatric examination to evaluate whether the symptoms might be explained by a medical condition. Results Several previously suggested diagnoses could be excluded as being highly unlikely, while other diagnoses could be classified as more of less likely. Conclusion Most likely Van Gogh suffered from comorbid illnesses. Since young adulthood, he likely developed a (probably bipolar) mood disorder in combination with (traits of) a borderline personality disorder as underlying vulnerability. This likely worsened through an alcohol use disorder combined with malnutrition, which then led, in combination with rising psychosocial tensions, to a crisis in which he cut off his ear. Thereafter, he likely developed two deliriums probably related to alcohol withdrawal, followed by a worsening with severe depressive episodes (of which at least one with psychotic features) from which he did not fully recover, finally leading to his suicide. As additional comorbidity, focal (temporal lobe) epilepsy cannot be excluded.

scholarly journals New Vision on the Mental Problems of Vincent Van Gogh; Results From a Bottom-up Approach Using (Semi-)structured Diagnostic Interviews

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willem Nolen ◽  
Erwin Van Meekeren ◽  
Piet Voskuil ◽  
Willem Van Tilburg
Keyword(s):  
Van Gogh ◽  
Vincent Van Gogh ◽  
Bipolar Mood Disorder ◽  
Diagnostic Interviews ◽  
Mental Problems ◽  
History Of ◽  
New Vision ◽  
Dutch Painter ◽  
Psychotic Features ◽  
Depressive Episodes

Abstract Background: On July 29, 1890 at the age of 37 years, the Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh died from the consequences of a suicide attempt with a gun two days earlier. Since then many medical and psychological theories were suggested about what had happened to Van Gogh.Aim: To present an overview of the history of the mental problems of Van Gogh and the most likely diagnoses.Method: (Semi-)structured diagnostic interviews were applied to three art historians who are very familiar with Van Gogh from his correspondence and other sources and as well as a neuropsychiatric examination to evaluate whether the symptoms might be explained by a medical conditionResults: Several previously suggested diagnoses could be excluded as being highly unlikely, while other diagnoses could be classified as more of less likely. Conclusion: Most likely Van Gogh suffered from comorbid illnesses. Since young adulthood, he likely developed a (probably bipolar) mood disorder in combination with (traits of) a borderline personality disorder as underlying vulnerability. This likely worsened through an alcohol use disorder combined with malnutrition, which then led, in combination with rising psychosocial tensions, to a crisis in which he cut off his ear. Thereafter, he likely developed two deliriums probably related to alcohol withdrawal, followed by a worsening with severe depressive episodes (of which at least one with psychotic features) from which he did not fully recover, finally leading to his suicide.As additional comorbidity,focal (temporal lobe)epilepsy cannot be excluded.

Risk of bipolar disorder and psychotic features in patients initially hospitalised with severe depression

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimiya Nakamura ◽  
Junichi Iga ◽  
Naoki Matsumoto ◽  
Tetsuro Ohmori
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Primary Disorder ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
History Of ◽  
Physical Diseases ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Psychotic Features ◽  
Depressive Episodes

ObjectiveSevere depression may be a risk factor for diagnostic conversion into bipolar disorder (BD), and psychotic depression (PD) has been consistently associated with BD. The aims of the present study were to investigate the stability of the diagnosis of severe depression and the differences between PD and non-psychotic severe depression (non-PD), as well as to assess the effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).MethodsPatients who were hospitalised for severe depression (diagnosed according to ICD-10) both with and without psychotic symptoms (n=89; mean age=55.6 years, SD=13.9) from 2001 to 2010 were retrospectively assessed.ResultsBy the 75th month of follow-up assessments, 11(12.4%) patients had developed BD. Among these 11 converters, nine had developed BD within 1 year after admission. Only sub-threshold hypomanic symptoms were significantly related to developing BD. The number of depressive episodes and history of physical diseases were significantly increased in non-PD compared with PD patients, whereas ECT was significantly increased in PD compared with non-PD patients. There was a significant association between length of stay at the hospital and the number of days between admission and ECT.ConclusionSub-threshold hypomanic symptoms may represent a prodrome of BD or an indicator of an already manifest phenotype, especially in older patients, which suggests cautious use of antidepressants. In severe depression, non-PD may often occur secondary to physical diseases and patients may experience increased recurrences compared with PD patients, which may be a more ‘primary’ disorder and often requires ECT treatments. ECT is effective for severe depression regardless of the presence of any psychotic feature; the earlier ECT is introduced, the better the expected treatment outcome.

Rates and predictors of remission, recurrence and conversion to bipolar disorder after the first lifetime episode of depression – a prospective 5-year follow-up study

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 1151-1161 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Bukh ◽  
P. K. Andersen ◽  
L. V. Kessing
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Treatment Resistance ◽  
Clinical Predictors ◽  
Diagnostic Interviews ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Single Depressive Episode ◽  
History Of ◽  
Depressive Episodes

BackgroundIn depression, non-remission, recurrence of depressive episodes after remission and conversion to bipolar disorder are crucial determinants of poor outcome. The present study aimed to determine the cumulative incidences and clinical predictors of these long-term outcomes after the first lifetime episode of depression.MethodA total of 301 in- or out-patients aged 18–70 years with a validated diagnosis of a single depressive episode were assessed from 2005 to 2007. At 5 years of follow-up, 262 patients were reassessed by means of the life chart method and diagnostic interviews from 2011 to 2013. Cumulative incidences and the influence of clinical variables on the rates of remission, recurrence and conversion to bipolar disorder, respectively, were estimated by survival analysis techniques.ResultsWithin 5 years, 83.3% obtained remission, 31.5% experienced recurrence of depression and 8.6% converted to bipolar disorder (6.3% within the first 2 years). Non-remission increased with younger age, co-morbid anxiety and suicidal ideations. Recurrence increased with severity and treatment resistance of the first depression, and conversion to bipolar disorder with treatment resistance, a family history of affective disorder and co-morbid alcohol or drug abuse.ConclusionsThe identified clinical characteristics of the first lifetime episode of depression should guide patients and clinicians for long-term individualized tailored treatment.

First manic episode in a patient with a frontal meningioma

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S339-S340
Author(s):  
M. Queirós ◽  
J. Caseiro
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Benign Lesion ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Manic Episode ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Psychotic Features ◽  
Major Depressive Episodes ◽  
Depressive Episodes

IntroductionPsychiatric symptoms are common among brain tumor patients. Meningiomas are the most common benign brain tumors accounting for 13 to 26% of all intracranial tumors and might present exclusively with psychiatric symptoms. To diagnose a manic episode according to DSM-5 criteria the episode must not be attributable to the physiological effects of a substance or to another medical condition.Objectives/aimsDescribe a case of first manic episode with a frontal meningioma along with a brief review of available literature.MethodsThe case we report is based on information collected from interviews with the patient and the family members as well as from the clinical files. The literature review was performed using the PubMed database.ResultsWe describe the case of a 58-year-old woman presenting with symptoms of a first manic episode with psychotic features. There were no previous hypomanic or major depressive episodes. In order to exclude organic causes a brain CT scan was performed that revealed a possible frontal lesion. A brain MRI confirmed the presence of a frontal meningioma with an approximate diameter of 1.4 cm.ConclusionsThe majority of the cases described in the literature refer to large tumors presenting with major depressive symptoms. Given the absence of similar cases in the literature, it seems unlikely that such a small benign lesion may cause a manic episode with psychotic features. Nevertheless, we cannot exclude that possibility.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals The Van Gogh Enigma: Re-Mythifications of the Artist’s Genius in "Loving Vincent" and "At Eternity’s Gate"

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (16) ◽  
pp. 93-110
Author(s):  
Paula Arantzazu Ruiz
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Van Gogh ◽  
Creative Practice ◽  
Vincent Van Gogh ◽  
Feature Films ◽  
Animated Film ◽  
Dutch Painter

Few painters have had as many films made about their lives as Vincent van Gogh. The interest in his story is due in part to the mystery surrounding his last days, in Arles, France. It is thus no coincidence that all the biopics about the Dutch painter focus on this stage of his life, including the recent works Loving Vincent (2017), an animated film by Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman, and Julian Schnabel’s At Eternity’s Gate (2018). A comparative study of these two feature films, representing two different aesthetic and dramatic approaches, is conducted in pursuit of the two objectives of this paper: to identify the conventions of the subgenre of the artist biopic; and consequently, to analyze how both films reflect on the artist’s creative practice in order to determine whether the film camera is in fact capable of capturing the brushstroke and the mystique of the genius.

scholarly journals The Protection of Cultural Heritage vs. the Right to Private Property: The Extraordinary Case of the Portrait of Dr. Gachet by Vincent van Gogh

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 57-68
Author(s):  
Kamil Zeidler ◽  
Aleksandra Guss
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Common Good ◽  
Private Property ◽  
Art World ◽  
Hard Case ◽  
Van Gogh ◽  
Vincent Van Gogh ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Right

In 1890, Vincent van Gogh moved from Paris to Auvers-sur-Oise, where he met Dr. Paul-Ferdinand Gachet, who agreed to host and take care of the painter, especially regarding his mental health. However, he did not manage to save the artist, who committed suicide the same year. His hopeless mental health was seen in the famous portrait of Dr. Gachet, which radiated a distinct melancholy and sadness. The Portrait of Dr. Gachet was bought for $ 82.5 million by a Japanese millionaire and art collector, Ryoei Saito, who said that after his death it was to be burned along with his corpse. It raised loud objections in the art world, which recognised the common good and the legacy of our cultural heritage in the painting. This case is a classic example of a dispute between the ideals of liberalism and communitarianism and is seen as a hard case in law. The aim of the article is to present the history of The Portrait of Dr. Gachet and its place in the dispute between liberalism and communitarianism (in the context of cultural heritage law), which in turn means that this case can be seen as a hard case.

scholarly journals Attitudes to depression and its treatment in primary care

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (9) ◽  
pp. 1239-1248 ◽  
Author(s):  
SCOTT WEICH ◽  
LOUISE MORGAN ◽  
MICHAEL KING ◽  
IRWIN NAZARETH
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Antidepressant Medication ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
History Of ◽  
Depressive Episodes

ABSTRACTBackgroundUndertreatment of depression in primary care is common. Efforts to address this tend to overlook the role of patient attitudes. Our aim was to validate and describe responses to a questionnaire about attitudes to depression and its treatment in a sample with experience of moderate and severe depressive episodes.MethodCross-sectional survey of 866 individuals with a confirmed history of an ICD-10 depressive episode in the 12 months preceding interview, recruited from 7271 consecutive general practitioner (GP) attendees in 36 general practices in England and Wales. Attitudes to and beliefs about depression were assessed using a 19-item self-report questionnaire.ResultsFactor analysis resulted in a three-factor solution: factor 1, depression as a disabling, permanent state; factor 2, depression as a medical condition responsive to support; and factor 3, antidepressants are addictive and ineffective. Participants who received and adhered to antidepressant medication and disclosed their depression to family and friends had significantly lower scores on factors 1 and 3 but higher scores on factor 2.ConclusionsPeople with moderate or severe depressive episodes have subtle and divergent views about this condition, its outcome, and appropriate help. Such beliefs should be considered in primary care as they may significantly impact on help seeking and adherence to treatment.

scholarly journals The conflict of Van Gogh's and Malevich's aesthetical conceptions

2021 ◽  
Vol 266 ◽  
pp. 05005
Author(s):  
I.D. Repin ◽  
M.A. Vasilyeva
Keyword(s):  
Van Gogh ◽  
Vincent Van Gogh ◽  
History Of Art ◽  
History Of

The conflict arises when comparing the creative path of Vincent van Gogh with the views of Kazimir Malevich will be examined in this article. The authors have used painting and writings of both artists to better understand their ideas and aesthetics approaches when considering this conflict. A comparison of their positions reveals a distinction that becomes very important for understanding of Malevich's view on the history of art and the observations of his articles

scholarly journals Motivation for naming eponimic terms: theoretical and practical aspects.

2017 ◽  
pp. 28-34
Author(s):  
Lesia Malevych ◽  
Maia Dziuba
Keyword(s):  
Integral Characteristic ◽  
Communication Process ◽  
Methodological Principle ◽  
Van Gogh ◽  
Vincent Van Gogh ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Dutch Painter ◽  
Structure Of Knowledge ◽  
Semantic Aspect ◽  
Linguistic Reality

The article deals with the theoretical and practical aspects of the motivation for naming eponymic terms, e.g., terms named for a person, such as zakony Niutona, parkinsonizm (Newton’s laws, parkinsonism). Terminology recognizes many approaches to the motivation for term naming due to the different types of relations between the motivation of term and its inner form (semantic aspect), between the motivation of term and its systemic importance (the organization of systemic relations in terminological vocabulary), between the motivation of term and the communication process (functional aspect). Motivation for naming is defined as an integral characteristic of any term due to the fact that terminological system is secondary to the general language. Terminological motivation is interpreted as a structural semantic feature which helps to understand the interconnectedness of the other lexical units and their relation to a specific terminological field. Types of motivation are often identified as a means of categorizing eponymic language units in separate thematic groups. Considering the defining principle of terminological nomination – the regularity of word-formative models – we suggest to view the established tradition of using proper names in specific terms for nominating certain categories of notions as a special motivation type – eponym motivation: pravylo Lentsa [zakon Lentsa] (Lenz’s rule [Lenz’s law]) (physics) – law named after the physicist Heinrich Lenz who formulated it in 1834. Motivation for naming eponymic terms is defined, first of all, by the direct relation to the denoted object, its definition and place in terminological system which can be both explicit or hidden. Eponymic terms can be characterized by all 10 three motivation types: word-formative and morphological, syntactic, semantic. Hidden motivation can be discovered with the help of etymological analysis or studying extra-linguistic factors, e.g., syndrom Van-Hoha (Van Gogh syndrome) is named after the famous Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh. So, inner form is able to preserve diverse structure of knowledge about linguistic and extra-linguistic reality which is particularly important in terms of anthropocentrism – methodological principle which plays the key role in studying of motivation, i.e., fixation of the connection (which speaker is aware of) between form and content of the lexeme in relation to the phenomena of linguistic and extra-linguistic reality. Theoretical and practical problems of motivation for naming eponymic terms needs further terminological research, in particular, based on the principles of the anthropocentric paradigm.

No Cheek Bias

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annukka K. Lindell
Keyword(s):  
Left Cheek ◽  
Van Gogh ◽  
Vincent Van Gogh ◽  
History Of ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
The Right ◽  
Single Figure

In the history of portraiture, left cheek poses dominate. However, self-portraits favor the right cheek. Previous studies consistently report left biases for portraits of others and right biases for self-portraits; only one study has examined self-portrait pose orientation across a single artist’s corpus. The present study investigated posing biases of prolific self-portraitist Vincent van Gogh. Posing orientation in single-figure portrait ( N = 174) and self-portrait ( N = 37) paintings was coded. Unlike other artists, van Gogh was equally likely to paint himself in left and right cheek poses. Similarly, portraits of others showed no difference in left and right cheek frequencies but were distinguished by the inclusion of midline poses. These data highlight the importance of single artist cases studies when investigating portrait posing biases.

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