Psychoanalyzing Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent Van Gogh was one of the worlds most famous and influential painters. However, his life had not been one of glamour and fame, but one of suffering and conflict. Much about Van Gogh's life was detailed in his letters to his brother Theo (Van Gogh, 2005). Young Vincent began work at 16 years old and eventually moved toward becoming a clergyman due to a growing desire to help his fellow man. This desire, however, soon became an obsession and led to many extreme behaviors and personal distress. Due to this obsession, Van Gogh was eventually dismissed from the church and his preaching work. After his dismissal, Van Gogh wanted to serve God by being an artist; Van Gogh was unable to make any livelihood as an artist and had to be supported by Theo, his brother, until the end of his life. Van Gogh's life as an artist was marked with loneliness, lack of proper materials, and conflict with others (Biography, 2005). The first major conflict was from the increasing tension between himself and his brother Theo over the sale of Van Gogh's painting. However this conflict resolved as Van Gogh was able to move in with his brother in 1886. Van Gogh left in 1888 to Arles in 1888 as he felt he was an imposition on his brother's life. The second major conflict occurred in December of 1888 with Paul Gauguin. Van Gogh did not feel well at this time (Van Gogh, T, 2005). As tension grew between the two men, Van Gogh eventually experienced a psychotic episode where he threatened Gauguin with a razor and later mutilated his left ear. Van Gogh was admitted and discharged from the hospital in Arles. However, Van Gogh checked himself into the psychiatric hospital in Saint-Remy soon after. Van Gogh suffered intermittent hallucination attacks during this period and once tried to kill himself by swallowing paint. During these attacks, Van Gogh often heard sounds, strange voices, and "restlessness in his head" (Van Gogh, 2005). Throughout his life, Van Gogh also suffered from symptoms that might be indicative of slight social phobia. In a letter to his brother Theo in 1889, Van Gogh wrote "I went once, still accompanied, to the village; the mere sight of people and things had such an effect on me that I thought I was going to faint and I felt very ill." Several other letters detailed similar experiences. Van Gogh had also spoke of symptoms of depression in some of his letters; Van Gogh wrote in 1882, "I then felt an inexpressible melancholy inside, which I cannot possibly describe." Another example was written by Van Gogh in 1889, "It is a gloomy enough prospect to have to say to myself that perhaps the painting I am doing will never be of any value whatever." Van Gogh was eventually found mental stability and was released after a long stay at Saint-Remy. However, stress and dissatisfaction soon returned and Van Gogh shot himself in the chest in a wheat field on July 27, 1890 and died two days later (Biography, 2005).

The DSM IV-TR lists the following symptoms for brief psychotic disorder (as cited in Bravenet clinical capsule, 2005):

A. Presence of one or more of the following symptoms:

1. Delusions
2. Hallucinations
3. Disorganized speech
4. Grossly Disorganized or catatonic behavior

B. Duration of an episode of the disturbance is at least 1 day but less than 1 month, with eventual full return to pre-morbid level of functioning.

C. The disturbance is not better accounted for by a Mood Disorder With Psychotic Features, Schizoaffective Disorder, or Schizophrenia and is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition.

The DSM IV-TR lists the following symptoms for dysthymic disorder (as cited in Bravenet clinical capsule, 2005)

A. Depressed mood for most of the day, for more days than not, as indicated either by subjective account or observation by others, for at least 2 years. Note: In children and adolescents, mood can be irritable and duration must be at least 1 year.

B. Presence, while depressed, of two (or more) of the following:

1. poor appetite or overeating
2. insomnia or Hypersomnia
3. low energy or fatigue
4. low self-esteem
5. poor concentration or difficulty making decisions
6. feelings of hopelessness

C. During the 2-year period (1 year for children or adolescents) of the disturbance, the person has never been without the symptoms in Criteria A and B for more than 2 months at a time.

D. No Major Depressive Episode has been present during the first 2 years of the disturbance (1 year for children and adolescents); i.e., the disturbance is not better accounted for by chronic Major Depressive Disorder, or Major Depressive Disorder, In Partial Remission.

E. There has never been a Manic Episode, a Mixed Episode, or a Hypomanic Episode, and criteria have never been met for Cyclothymic Disorder.

F. The disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of a chronic Psychotic Disorder, such as Schizophrenia or Delusional Disorder.

G. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hypothyroidism).

H. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

As stated earlier, Van Gogh experienced symptoms of both depression and also brief psychotic disorder. Van Gogh was in a depressed mood many times from 1882 to 1890. While depressed, Van Gogh often felt hopeless. He also felt to be a burden to his brother Theo. There were also feelings of worthlessness and that his paintings were not of any value. In addition, Van Gogh's life was marked by suicidal thoughts on several occasions, and he actually attempted to commit suicide at least two times. However, Van Gogh was functional socially and occasionally despite some social anxiety and instances where he wishes to be reclusive. Van Gogh did have interest in his paintings and painted even when he was hospitalized and confined in an asylum. This is all indicative of dysthymic disorder with some major depressive episodes throughout. As mentioned earlier, Van Gogh suffered from psychotic episodes and hallucinations at one point of his life. Van Gogh was able to return to normal functioning after his psychotic episodes. This is indicative of a brief psychotic disorder. However, psychotic episodes and hallucinations appeared to occur during times of conflict with others and times of stress. Therefore, it is very likely this could be a mood disorder with psychotic features.

In conclusion, all of the evidence suggests that Van Gogh most likely had a dysthymic disorder with psychotic features. In addition, major depressive episodes occurred occasionally in Van Gogh's life. Due to the non-profitable nature of his work and being unappreciated as an artist during his time, life was difficult for Van Gogh. In addition, the burden of being useful to God and his inability to help mankind created more emotional stress. Hallucinations and psychotic episodes most likely stem from all of the above factors combined. However, Van Gogh's dedication to his art is reflected in his masterpieces such as "Starry Night" which were created during his most troubled time. Van Gogh is truly one of the most notable tragic geniuses in history.

Works Cited

BehaveNet Clincal Capsule. DSM-IV-TR Classification. Retrieved May 29, 2005 from http://behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/dsm4TRclassification.htm

Biography of Vincent Van Gogh. Retrieved May 28, 2005, http://www.expo-vangogh.com/2.cfm

Van Gogh, T. Theo Van Gogh¡¦s letters to Vincent. Retrieved May 27, 2005 from http://webexhibits.org/vangogh/

Van Gogh, V. Vincent Van Gogh¡¦s letters to Theo. Retrieved May 27, 2005 from http://webexhibits.org/vangogh/