There is a strong association between disorders of mood and creativity. Some of our greatest writers, poets, thinkers, actors and artists are afflicted with depression or some other form of mood or anxiety disorder. It's a curious paradox that the emotionally draining experience of depression, along with the guilt, remorse, sadness and blackness that accompanies it can be associated with creativity.

The creative act is something special. Whether its a simple variation on a recipe that...