Einstein and Schizophrenia

[DrGachet]

I am reading Einstein's biography and came across something fascinating: his second son had schizophrenia. The few people I have mentioned this to were aware of this already, so maybe this is not news to you either. But it did surprise me. I know his wife had mood disorders but he himself did not have any serious mental illness. Yes, he was the absent-minded professor, living and breathing physics, not very much into his looks, but that's about it. But it just points to the complex genetics of schizophrenia. Einstein himself apparently thought that the son inherited the genes from his wife. Oh, I forgot to add that Einstein was seen as insensitive by some people around, and there are some speculations about possible theory of mind deficits.

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[6SAnthony]

Which biography is it?

 

[DrGachet]

Einstein: His Life and Universe by Isaacson

 

[Ibid]

his second son had schizophrenia. .

Yes, he was studying medicine and was intending to become a psychiatrist.

 

[whopper]

Einstein certainly had some Axis II Cluster A traits. Some of cluster A personality disorders are theorized to be on the psychotic spectrum.

 

[DrGachet]

Ibid: Yes, true, he was studying to become a psychiatrist but was diagnosed with schizophrenia in his early 20s. He did not have a good relation with Einstein after that.

Whopper: speaking of eccentricity, I have always found that concept quite elusive. Do you know of any decent assessment tools for measuring eccentricity (not schizotypy in particular)? There are people out there labeled as eccentric specially by others who live very different lives, but I often find that much of their behavior can be explained by their anxieties, intelligence, profession, or environment. I mean to be honest, many driven, intelligent, and curious people can be seen as eccentric to some extent, if you look at how they spend their time, their beliefs and worldview, their social life, etc. I can readily think of plenty of people, be it hockey players, religious folks, scientists, and yes, even plenty of psychiatrists/psychologists who can be labeled as eccentric.

 

[whopper]

The MMPI could be of some help here. It's been awhile, and I'd have to ask my psychologist colleagues, but I do recall it being useful with this.