Monday Moans:Tortured Artist piffle

Wikipedia gives a definition of the what a "tortured artist" is
and I would say sure there are some tortured souls who happen to be artists, but what about the tortured doctors, nurses, traffic wardens, dentists, stay at home mums, cops, jailers, teachers, farmers, bankers, politicians, shop assistants, journalists, x ray technicians, etc.
ps. the wiki entry has changed

Hum! Reeeeeeeeeeeeally!

"constant ferment due to frustrations with art and other people."
Just google burn out and job frustrations and see what pops up (clue:it isn't artists). Only fermenting I'm interested in is the one that produces marmite.

"feels alienated and misunderstood due to the perceived ignorance or neglect of others who do not understand him and the things he feels are important."
HIM? HE?
Yea! yea! yea! I used to hear this ad infinitum on the crisis hotline. The complaints would range from people not understanding their choices, their lifestyle, their political/religious beliefs, their careers, their hobbies, and the list goes on. I tell you Mr. Poop, Mr. Haircut and Diaper Man were very misunderstood.

"He sometimes smokes, experiences sexual frustration and reoccurring heartbreak, and generally appears overwhelmed by his own emotions and inner conflicts."

It Sucks , but it doesn't torture me.
I mean come on all sorts of people have these problems (not me!not me!)

"The tortured artist is often mocked in popular culture for "thinking too much," being quixotic, or coming across as pretentiously adverse to happiness and fun."

And political figures, power elites, liberals, and many others too numerous to list are not mocked. Was it not just recently that east coast intellectual elites were mocked, as in the anti intellectual tirades. As for happiness and fun, Frida Kahlo wasn't adverse to happiness, but it is kind of hard to be happy all the time when one lives in pain after about 30 surgeries and your husband keeps bonking your sister.
ah! key words pretensiously adverse to happiness.
Okay that doesn't fit either.
Never Mind!

"Tortured artists are often self-destructive in behavior, and are often associated with mental health issues such as substance abuse, depression, or bipolar disorder. Tortured artists are often prone to suicide."

Often?No data supports "often prone to suicide" claim. A government study listing depressive episodes by career lists food prep and service industry at the near top. "According to a U.S. government report, more than 19 million adults in the United States suffer from depression".
As for substance abuse just check nation wide trends , likewise for self destructive behaviours, and suicide demographics.

Ps. I notice the wiki entry has been changed a wee bit since I did this blog entry.
Hum! no bibliography/notes references?

"Psychiatrist Kay Redfield Jamison notes in her book “Touched with Fire” that the majority of people suffering from a mood disorder “do not possess extraordinary imagination, and most accomplished artists do not suffer from recurring mood swings.” source: Developing Talent
on the other hand
Here are some tips on how to ACT like a tortured artist from wiki how

Now if you don't mind I have seriously important work to do ALONE in my chaotic studio , I vant to be alone to ferment, drink my tannic acid in my half empty teacup and listen to depressing opera.
Toodle bloody Pip