Edited by Barry M. Panter, M.D., Ph.D., Mary Lou Panter, R.N., Evelyn Virshup, Ph.D., A.T.R. and Bernard Virshup, M.D. 

How do creative artists use their art to express and deal with their emotional problems? What can we learn about them from their art? 

Is creativity related to madness? Can psychology shed new light on this ancient belief? 

What do you have in common with some of the world's most famous artists?

Eighteen mental health professionals explore these questions in the work and lives of 16 artists and writers, including Vincent van Gogh, Jackson Pollock, Michelangelo, Sylvia Plath, and others. 

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"A wonderfully readable and enjoyable book. It can be read with pleasure by anyone interested in art, creativity, and psychology." -Erma Reinhardt, President, Saranac Literary Society 

"This book is both creative and mad; just the proper mix to keep the reader turning the pages." -Leonard Shlain, Author of the national bestseller, "Art and Physics" 

"Insightful and highly readable probes into the creative selves in all of us, these studies give us new perspectives on ideas of genius." -Richard Hertz, Ph.D., Chair, Liberal Arts and Sciences and Graduate Studies, Art Center College of Design, Pasadena 

"Everyone who cares and wants to know more about art, creativity and/or relationships will gain new insights from this fascinating book. Presented in clear, understandable terms.” -Robert Reeser, Ph.D. Associate Dean, Arts and Letters, California State University Los Angeles 

"CREATIVITY & MADNESS studies give us insight into and appreciation of psychological forces at work." -Richard Simons, M.D, Past President, American Psychoanalytic Association 

"One of the ten best books I've ever read." -Anne Nathan-lodarski, M.A., AIR Director, HeARtworld Arts Center for Children

How do creative artists use their art to express and deal with their emotional problems? What can we learn about them from their art? 

Is creativity related to madness? Can psychology shed new light on this ancient belief? 

What do you have in common with some of the world's most famous artists? 

Twenty-two mental health professionals explore these questions in the work and lives of 20 artists and writers, including Anne Sexton, Dmitri Shostakovich, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Gustav Mahler, Mark Rothko, Mary Cassatt and others.

Each chapter in this book initially was presented at a Creativity & Madness Conference. The following are comments from attendees at our conferences.

“This conference keeps my own creative self alive.” -Kate Wyatt, PhD 

“The conference always fills up my tank for the year... Inspiring and informative.” -Randy West, Psychologist, ATR 

“This conference was incredibly nourishing and enlivening - I needed this experience!” - Antonia Darden, MFT 

“I come to the conferences for personal enrichment, learning and to keep my mind alert and open.” -Keith Holmes, MD 

“Absolutely rejuvenating, stimulating and interesting. I have become more in tune with myself because of what I learned at these conferences.” -David Sachs, LCSW 

“The inspiration I received at the conferences turned me toward what was real and what would sustain me when things in my life had become unbearable. Creativity and Madness carries the potential for profound transformation and I hope that legacy will continue.” -Lorena Williams, LCSW 

“Thank you! It was a pleasure to experience. I value the diversity and positive energy and especially the attention to creativity.” -Leslie Hirschaut. MD

Thirty Three Poems for Mary Lou

If you have ever loved…

If you have ever longed for love…

If you have known grief…

This book will touch your heart.

“In a world where relationships come and go, what a tribute to love it is to encounter two people who found each other and made life work for them. Very few people can say they’ve done that.” -Elizabeth George, Best Selling Author of A Traitor to Memory, Deception on His Mind, Playing for the Ashes, Payment in Blood, and others.