What illnesses afflicted Vincent Van Gogh?

I think we need to be careful about "diagnosing" any historical figure, including Van Gogh. When historians have suggested poisoning from paint, or syphilis etc. they are just speculating. read more

Speculation by various doctors and scholars suggests that Vincent Van Gogh suffered from lead poisoning, acute intermittent porphyria, chronic kidney disease, epilepsy, bipolar disorder, chronic sunstroke, Ménière's disease, digoxin toxicity (as answered elsewhere), and possibly syphilis. read more

As he was painting some of the most celebrated and influential art of all time, Vincent Van Gogh (March 30, 1853–July 29, 1890) was combating his anguishing mental illness — frequent episodes of depression, paralyzing anxiety and, according to some accounts, the symptoms of bipolar disorder — which would eventually claim his life in 1890, shortly after his 37th birthday. read more

In his brief life, Vincent van Gogh painted with grand passion, fasted for days on end, drank abundant quantities of alcohol, including the potent liquor absinthe, and suffered a host of physical and mental agonies. read more