Abstract
Background: Yu Dafu, arguably one of the greatest writers in modern Chinese history, is characterized by critics as having a sentimental and decadent style. His life is clearly marked by mood bipolarity, and it seems that his creativity was affected by extreme emotional states. However, this link remains unclear. Methods: Yu’s self-assessments in his works and letters are analyzed from the perspective of current psychiatric classifications. Examples are extracted from his writing career and habits to help illuminate the relationship between mental disorders and literary creativity. Results: Yu’s writing career seems to be divided into four blocks. He was in a deep depression when he studied abroad and taught in China and experienced a hypomanic episode afterward, when he created a magazine and fell in love. The pattern of his mood changes is consistent with the symptoms of bipolar II disorder. His maintenance of a high degree of literary productivity alongside his anguish during depressive episodes may suggests mixed states. Conclusions: Mood changes shaped Yu’s life and writing career. Depressive and hypomanic moods enhanced his creativity in several ways, and some situations in his life indicate that writing and literary pursuits also have reverse effects on one’s mental state. The perspective that mental disorders are seen as a certain profile of literary career can help us to better understand the writers.
