First published 1993
Renowned psychologist Kay Jamison explores the profound connection between mental illness and artistic brilliance. Delving into the lives of celebrated writers, poets, and composers, she uncovers the startling truth: manic-depressive illness often fuels the intense, volatile creativity that defines the artistic temperament. From Byron's tortured soul to Van Gogh's vivid canvases, Jamison reveals how this most human of all diseases both destroys and elevates the creative mind.
Genres: psychology, mental-illness, non-fiction, biography-memoir
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: case-studies, non-fiction
384 pages · Paperback · The Free Press
Content warnings: mental-illness