Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament

An “artistically written” book from an acclaimed psychologist with “a profound understanding of the relationship that exists between art and madness” (William Styron, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Sophie’s Choice).

The definitive work on the surprising links between manic-depression and creativity, from one of the foremost authorities on bipolar disorder and the bestselling author of An Unquiet Mind.

The anguished and volatile intensity associated with the artistic temperament was once thought to be a symptom of genius or eccentricity peculiar to artists, writers, and musicians. Kay Redfield Jamison’s book, based on her study as a clinical psychologist and researcher in mood disorders, reveals that many artists subject to exalted highs and despairing lows were in fact engaged in a struggle with clinically identifiable manic-depressive illness.

Jamison presents proof of the biological foundations of this disease and applies what is known about the illness to the lives and works of some of the world’s greatest artists including Lord Byron, Vincent Van Gogh, and Virginia Woolf.

“In language comprehensible to the lay reader, [Jamison]presents a thorough overview of current knowledge concerning the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of this disorder.” —Library Journal