Year: 1992 Source: Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, v. 22, no. 2 (Summer 1992), p. 157-166 SIEC No: 19920044

The relationship between suicide & creativity has long been a subject of considerable concern. The author presents evidence indicating that in fact depression, suicide & creativity are related. Several hypotheses for the relationship are posited. It is suggested that the same changes in the serotonergic system that are associated with depression in general & with impulsive suicides & homicides in the extreme may also be responsible for an element of risk taking that characterizes creativity.