Manic Depression and Creativity

by D. Jablow Hershman, Julian Lieb M.D.

Many recognized geniuses had creative capacities that were driven by bouts of manic intensity followed by the depths of mind-numbing despair. From Plato, who originated the idea of inspired mania, to Beethoven, Dickens, Newton, Van Gogh, and today's popular creative artists and scientists who've battled manic depression, this intriguing work examines creativity and madness in mystery, myth, and history. Demonstrating how manic depression often becomes the essential difference between talent and genius, Hershman and Lieb offer valuable insights into the many obstacles and problems this illness poses for highly creative people. Lieb critiques the wave of new books on depression as well as those on creativity to determine how far we have come in our understanding of this complex illness.The authors also explode the myth that suffering is essential to creativity. Guides for the manic depressive are suggested to reduce emotional pain and personal problems while increasing productivity.Julian Lieb, a psychiatrist in private practice and former director of the Dana Psychiatric Clinic at Yale-New Haven Hospital, and D. Jablow Hershman authored Brotherhood of Manic Depression and Absolute Power.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mental Illness, Biography, Psychology

236 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1988

Reviews

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really interesting and entertaining. (Not to mention it made me think I was manic depressive for like, a week.) There is actually quite a lot of humor in the writing, which I really enjoyed. It was just nice to see them so tongue-in-cheek with their subject. The whole book is just 4 case studies of artists and their work, and basing their supposed manic depression on many of the attitudes attributed to them and "historical" information. Posthumous diagnosis, especially after such a long time, usually strikes me as ridiculous, but they made it entertaining enough that I almost didn't see it as a real scientific book.

[Zawhtut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly stated what the manic depression and how does it force the creativity in famous artists such as Charles Dickens and Van Goh. Very much suitable for people who are suffered from manic depression and how to understand them - their moods and behavior so on. The first book I read which is written by psychiatrist who love literature and music. Very impressive.

[Valerie Van Haltern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book

[Madhur Ahuja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some insightful biographies of manic depressives like Van Gogh, Dickens and Mozart.

[Thomas Fratkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

“One of the things that baffles me (and there are quite a few) is how there can be so much lingering stigma with regards to mental illness, specifically bipolar disorder. In my opinion, living with manic depression takes a tremendous amount of balls. Not unlike a tour of Afghanistan (though the bombs and bullets, in this case, come from the inside). At times, being bipolar can be an all-consuming challenge, requiring a lot of stamina and even more courage, so if you're living with this illness and functioning at all, it's something to be proud of, not ashamed of.
They should issue medals along with the steady stream of medication.”

An important book on a difficult subject.

[Amy Katherine Wolff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book. Part biographical, part historical and part psychological!! I had no idea that such famous and great ppl of our time and earlier suffered so from manic-depression.

I've seen manic-depression, or bipolar disorder, as it is called today, first hand in family members, but it was very fascinating (and sat at times) to read how the disease played out in some very famous people's lives and how it had both positive and negative effects on their lives, their work and their families.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. And, I actually started reading it online, but then couldn't get the full e-book version, so I actually bought it as a REAL book... hard cover even!!

So, friends... if you are interested in borrowing this book, let me know. I'd be happy to pass it along!!!

[Jj Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it at the age of 17, loved it. I could write my own book about the value of this book, but I'm not. Should be a mandatory read for any human. No pressure though... If you don't want to read it I don't want you to read it, and I won't tell you why.

Most important book I've ever read.

[Jun Wang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know these guys suffered from manic depression, but the book is great!

[Hafizh Ulfha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was exicted, with this tittle, because i am a bipo