A recent study has shown that neurotics are more suitable for creative jobs. Study researchers said so far they are not aware of what drives neuroticism and the creativity, but they suggest that it could be down to the fact that people who score highly on neuroticism tests tend to do a lot of thinking.

Some previously conducted studies have set connection between neurotic unhappiness and creativity, but no one ever came across what was going on in the brain to make this happen.

Now researchers of the study published yesterday in Trends in Cognitive Sciences have come up with a new hypothesis. Neurotics ruminate on problems, delving into their causes and the negative effects these might have. They replay these scenarios, amplifying their worries.

The results of brain scans showed that people who are good at this negative thinking displayed greater activity in regions of the medial prefrontal cortex. This particular area of the brain is linked to the conscious perception of threat and danger.

Dr Adam Perkins, a researcher at King's College London and lead author, said, "If you can self-generate a plentiful supply of negative thoughts from an overactive brain you can experience intense negative emotions even when there is no threat present".

Study authors even pointed out to Isaac Newton, a neurotic brooder and worrier who was able to make outstanding creative breakthroughs.

The new paper suggests that the part of the brain associated with self-generated thoughts tends to be overactive in neurotic people, leading to unhappiness as well as creative problem-solving.

Highly neurotic people will suffer a lot of anxiety and depression over their lifespan, but their deep-thinking, brooding tendencies can also give rise to greater creative potential, said Perkins.