I would like to say before me move on to the article that I am not psychologist or psychiatrist. In all of my articles I am speaking out about my opinion and thoughts and possible theories what could lead Van Gogh cut his ear off. There is not one simple quick explanation or theory that proves for hundred percent the act of Vincent Van Gogh cut his ear off - or to be the exactly specific he did not cut all of his ear off but the cuts only the ear lobe - but it does not mater in this case because we want to know the answer right ? But its not that easy to find one particular reason why does that happened - sadly. There are so many facts to keep in mind behind every story why does someone decide to hurt himself or in this case hurt yourself in this very unconventional or strange way. I believe there is more true to this story and in this article I Will be trying to point out several reasons why would that happened.

Most widely accepted simple theory

The most common and widely accepted theory of why does Vincent Van Gogh cut his ear off was that he does that after big argument with his fellow artist friend Paul Gauguin and then he gave his ear to a prostitute names Rachel as a sign of affection. This was a proven fact that he gets into a fights and he does physically bring part of his ear lobe to a prostitute as it was even pictured in the movie loving vincent but there is so much more behind this story that I feel is needed to be said.

Vincent Van Gogh mental health and struggle

Evidence and several psychiatric analysing suggests that Vincent Van Gogh was struggling with mental illness. Vincent Van Gogh according to several psychiatrists -had a Manic depression and chronic mental illness. One study even say that he was having Menieres disease which was at that time not well known and thats why it was often misdiagnosed as epilepsy. There is a high possibility in this case that his personal Doctor - Dr Gachet - who was a French Physician (not a professional Psychiatrist) had misdiagnosed him with false medication and treatment.

He cut his ear off because of tinnitus or from being misdiagnosed ?

Tinnitus is an illness that is often described as ringing and roaring in the ears. Tinnitus is one of the main symptoms of Menieres desease. But in Van Goghs case as we know - was not diagnosed with Menieres desease and his doctors conclude that he was suffering from epileptic seizures and madness. But this is not the only one diagnose that has been said as theory.

Imagine being misdiagnosed and getting the wrong treatment by the wrong people and still suffering the illness that was not well known at that time. Could this be the answer why would you act unnatural and get to the point to cut your ear lobe off just out of despair and an absolute sadness because you dont know what is wrong with you and why do you having the symptoms that you have ?

Too many diagnosis and proposed theories

So many people until this day would try to come with even more theories and diagnosis that could lead to an event of his cutting his ear off. He cuts his ear off simply because of the woman that he get married to that was a prostitute and had a kid and they could be having some relationship problems and also his family was not very supportive and also the society that they lived in was maybe not the best by accepting this as a healthy relationship. Also there is a theory that he cut his ear off because of his brother was geting married. There is a theory that he cuts his ear because he get to an arguments and fights and so on... I dont want to point out all the possible theories because honestly people are speculating too much.

Other proposed theories have said that he was having an bipolar disorder, temporal lobe epilepsy, syphilis, borderline personality disorder, cycloid psychosis, and schizophrenia. Honestly here has been so many diagnosis for Van Gogh that I feel I am kind of loosing myself in all those possible scenarios and possible side effects and symptoms that may Vincent Van Goghs have that can lead to this event. But honestly ? I think it does not matter why does Vincent Van Gogh cut his ear off.

But it doesnt really matter because...

I think it does not matter right now. What matters to me is his story and his huge massive positive impact that he had for so many artists that are reading his story. There are so many artist who are struggling with their mental health and everyday lack of creativity and ideas and all those everyday struggles what an non artists dont understand. I think that non artist are often not fully understanding the facts that artists are not just robots that are bursting out painting by painting or drawing by drawing. Our creative spirit is not always there and we need to sacrifice so much to do art. We need time - creating art is a long difficult process and when we need more time we have to sacrifice often so much.. I just remembered how I used to talk to my friend who is also creating art and she is working very hard to start selling her art. We joked about how we need to wash our hair but we do not have the time or energy. I mean honestly I am ashamed to say that but if you do an art you need time and most of the time you have to sacrifice even a personal hygiene sometimes... Yep... I remember how I used to keep asking myself why are the artist most described as those with greasy hair and dark circles under eye and intimidating look on their faces. Now I get it ! We are often tired , we dont have enough time and we feel just emotionally and mentally sucked out because we need to keep creating things in our mind and working very hard to transfer it on paper while it would look just the way we want it. So people can say sh@t like : That is really expensive or What design could I get for 10 dollars or Would you draw me for free? Yeah , we are basically payed like prostitutes , sucked out from creativity and positive thoughts and our muse, dont have enough time... Like I basically didnt had enough time to end this article somehow more socially acceptable or just without an basic ending like the other articles by other people have....

I am very sorry .. But if you somehow like this article and would decide to support me you can leave a long comment about your toughts about this whole topic and subscribe to me for more articles or you can also donate to me - poor artist.