Mental Illness a Long-time Struggle for Schumann
Schumann and bipolar disorder can be thought of at the same time, for the famous classical composer was known to fight with mental illness throughout his life. The same fate befell at least one of his children. Signs of Schumann’s battle with mental illness were evident from an early age, and concluded with his suicide, while in an asylum, at age 46. In the interim, he conducted a prolific life as a classical composer, and music critic and had eight children with his wife Clara, also a Classical composer and pianists. Speculation about the effect of his mental illness on his work has gone on since he was alive, but we may never know the full story of that influence on his remarkable career.
