Mental illness could make you successful, University of Bolton researcher claims
6:00am Saturday 27th July 2013 in News 
By Saiqa Chaudhari, Education reporter
MENTAL illness could aid success, according to research by a?University of Bolton professor.
Professor Jerome Carson, the university?s Professor of Psychology, has been exploring what he calls "the paradox between mental health issues and excellence".
He has investigated the possible mental health issues of some of history?s most intriguing figures ? and believes it could have helped them become the leaders they were.
Together with former history teacher, Elizabeth Wakely, Prof Carson has examined Abraham Lincoln, Florence Nightingale, Winston Churchill and Charles Darwin and any mental health issues they may have suffered.
Prof Carson said that each of these luminaries was brilliant in their own speciality ? be it in politics, science or medicine ? yet each was affected by issues like depression and anxiety.
He argues America?s most famous president, Abraham Lincoln, suffered from intense bouts of depression.
Outside of politics he had a challenging life, outliving three of his four children and historical evidence also shows his wife had mental health problems, probably schizophrenia.
Prof Carson said: ?His suffering was seen as an asset. ?It allowed him to be seen as a human being. This is something that definitely wouldn?t happen now. In today?s political landscape it would be seen as a weakness.?
Florence Nightingale?s place in history was secured with her heroic and groundbreaking work in the Crimean War.
But evidence suggests the UK?s most famous nurse also suffered with several mental health problems.
?Florence Nightingale was the most complex character of the people we investigated. People will be well aware of the Lady and the Lamp persona and her role in the Crimean War. However, there is a lot more to her story, ? said Prof Carson People who suffer from bipolar conditions experience fluctuating states of mood, enjoying feelings of extreme mania and euphoria, followed by a deep depression.
?She spent 30 years of her life housebound and six of those in her bed, ? said Prof Carson.
The UK?s Second World War Prime Minister Winston Churchill?s depression, which he called his ?black dog?, was said to affect his personality in that he was infamously stubborn.
Prof Carson said that during the Second World War these character traits were an asset.
Charles Darwin, author of the pioneering book on evolution, The Origin of Species, suffered from a chronic anxiety disorder.
Prof Carson said: ?His condition was so severe that he missed the launch of his magnum opus, The Origin of Species and was unable to take part in the Oxford debate.?
Professor Carson and Elizabeth Wakely, along with Sophie Davies and Sarah Morgan are co-editors of the book Mental Health Recovery Heroes Past and Present.
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