Touched By Fire

Definitely worth the watch - while being a visual treat, Touched With Fire also opened my eyes to completely new aspects of mental illness. Start your free trial. Find showtimes, watch trailers, browse photos, track your Watchlist and rate your favorite movies and TV shows on your phone or tablet! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Full Cast and Crew. Share this Rating Title: Touched with Fire 6. Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin.

Edit Cast Cast overview, first billed only: Nick Quadri Daniel Gerroll Sue Rob Leo Roy Edit Storyline Two bipolar patients meet in a psychiatric hospital and begin a romance that brings out all of the beauty and horror of their condition. Edit Details Official Sites: Edit Did You Know? Trivia The movie is based on the life of director Paul dalio. Sometimes the fire of genius lives under the toughest conditions.

We, the readers and observers and appreciators, hardly notice that, sometimes. This is a good book to get awareness of this grim fact. Jul 31, Cari rated it really liked it Shelves: Focusing on the relationship between artistic creativity and manic-depressive illness, Touched With Fire is rewarding, interesting and full of information. However, this is a book that requires an effort, expects you to be paying attention fully at all times.

This is no quick, relaxing beach read. Jamison brings her scientific and academic background to her subject, which makes for a fascinating but difficult read for anyone lacking her extensive background. Her constant references to scientific Focusing on the relationship between artistic creativity and manic-depressive illness, Touched With Fire is rewarding, interesting and full of information.

Her constant references to scientific studies can get confusing, despite extensive notes, graphs, and charts, but if you can make it through the first half, the work is worth all the effort. The extensive family histories of various well-known poets, writers, painters, and artists gathered here are almost worth the list price by themselves.

She documents the devastating effects of both sides of the illness on each artist's life, family, and ancestry, as well as puts forth a significant amount of evidence, much of it from the artists' own works or journals, to support the idea that the illness, with its extremes of emotions and its productive hypomanic states, contributed to their subjects genius.

Jamison makes it clear these afflicted artists suffered greatly, and despite her academic approach, her sympathy for them shines through. As the author of An Unquiet Mind , she's certainly been through many of the trials these same artists suffered in their times. Such compassion serves to humanize her subjects in an oftentimes dry, distanced text.

Unfortunately, it's this same sympathy that, in a very small way, diminishes from what she is trying to accomplish as an academic. While appropriate in her memoir, her affinity with her subjects introduces an emotional element into an otherwise scientific text that is jarring. Additionally, her respect for these artists trips over into awe. Though she documents their sufferings and repeatedly states how the creative output is certainly not worth the torment of this illness, the reader is left with the impression this is merely lip service, especially as she tends to romanticize even their morbid excesses and most incapacitating depressions.

As both an artist and someone who has suffered sometimes crippling depression for years, I find this alarming in an academic work.

Overall, Jamison has written an incredible book, one that takes the romantic notion of the melancholic artist and shows the facts and figures behind it, for better and for worse. Kay Redfield Jamison is a renowned psychologist, expert on bipolar she prefers the term: She covers the relationship between creativity and mood disorders sympathetically and without reductionism.

This is non-fiction, so I can describe this without it being a "spoiler" OK? She does not seek to "explain" creativity in a reductive way as the result of mental illness. I must mention in passing that some reviewers seemed to have missed the dist Kay Redfield Jamison is a renowned psychologist, expert on bipolar she prefers the term: I must mention in passing that some reviewers seemed to have missed the distinction between explanation, correlation, and interaction. There is a wealth of material here, both anecdotal and statistical. Of course, creativity aside from creative innovators with global reputations is notoriously difficult to quantify, but aggregate statistics from multiple studies are presented clearly and a pretty suggestive.

Diagnosis of mental disorders for historical individuals are also somewhat uncertain. Most surveys are highly suggestive of a correlation; however, most artists, writers, and other creatives do not appear to be suffering from a major mood disorder. However, the prevalence of mood disorders is far greater than in the general population. There are also very interesting correlations between seasonal mood fluctuations and artistic productivity, and mood disorders and artistic occupations in family histories.

Byron who is featured on the cover of my edition with the fearful symmetry of his DNA , features prominently. His family history is so filled with edgy types, one becomes filled with admiration for his fortitude and discipline to be able to be as productive and as stable as he was in light of what certainly appears to be no exaggeration: In a way, instead of reducing creativity to a form of mental disorder, this book is a kind of tribute to highly productive artists and their discipline and talent, which, although making use of some of the positive results of their emotional turmoil, in large part allowed them to function in spite of, instead of because of that turmoil.

It is also to be noted that there are common traits between those suffering from mania or depression in general, and those that are artistic but of a more stable temperament, such as increased divergence in thinking, ability to form loose associations and correlations, empathy, exaltation, and thoughtfulness. So perhaps this is not surprising. Jan 09, Nina rated it liked it. Quick rundown on what I got out of this book Bipolar disorder, along with various other mental illnesses, has long been perceived as an mysterious yet threatening disease, which manifests in extremes of temperament; - ranging from ecstatic highs, to debilitating lows, often seasonal in nature.

The link between the artistic temperament and bipolar Quick rundown on what I got out of this book The link between the artistic temperament and bipolar disorder is affirmed by exploring family histories of famous sufferers, more conclusively seen through the overlapping temperaments; certain characteristics central to both the bipolar afflicted sufferer and the artistically inclined. It has long been perceived that mental derangement, or insanity, has been a gift of the Gods, transcending human capabilities.

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Moreover, the societal benefit of bipolar, at the expense of bipolar patients in their sufference, deems it irresponsible for science to intrude and eradicate the genes for the disease if possible. Moreover, gene therapy is often contradictory to contemporary belief; - it is not extremely accurate; the presence of the gene does not act definitively — it is not guaranteed that simply having the gene will result in the individual attaining the disease. They are indistinguishable from me, and it would destroy my art.

Many artists perceive the wide range and extremes of emotion central to not only the ability to produce creative work, but also to the human condition itself. Aug 08, Nimue Brown rated it really liked it. A fascinating book exploring the complex history between mental health issues and creativity. The statistics for mental health problems in poets especially, as opposed to the rest of the populous, are alarming. But at the same time, severe mental illness kills people.

What might Van Gough or Virginia Woolf have been able to do had they not taken their own lives? I also found the first few chapters, where the theoretical stuff is laid down, hard work — despite having read a lot of psychological writing in my time. Much of the problem is that there are plenty of big, clunky medical terms in the mix. But, then we get onto the lives of writers, artists, poets and the relationship between condition and creativity.

Fascinating, often heartbreaking stuff. I have no doubt that people who do not quite fit in are more drawn to creative forms of living. The mad inventor type is as alluring as the mad poet. The highs and lows can be harnessed. I also know for certain that to work creatively requires a kind of self awareness that might make mental fluctuations both more apparent and of higher impact.

It does require heightened emotion and sensitivity to be a creative person in any field. Where we draw the lines between healthy and aberrant, should not be in the hands of the pathologically unemotional. I also wonder how much different life would have been for many of our greatest creative minds, had they lived in cultures that nourished and cherished them. We tend to give our creative folk a hard time right up until they are a big hit, then we sit them on impossibly high pedestals, scrutinise their every move, and kick them down the first time they falter.

That would be enough to break plenty of perfectly well balanced people. Sep 21, Calli rated it it was amazing. I have often been curious about the saying, 'There is a fine line between genius and madness,' and with that I have continually found myself drawn to the works of writer's poets, artist's, musicians, scientists, philosophers, et all whom are said to have suffered from some sort of mental illness. I have been unconsciously until recently been drawn over and over again to this subject, this connection between what this author describes as the 'Artistic Temperament,' and in this case Manic-Depres I have often been curious about the saying, 'There is a fine line between genius and madness,' and with that I have continually found myself drawn to the works of writer's poets, artist's, musicians, scientists, philosophers, et all whom are said to have suffered from some sort of mental illness.

I have been unconsciously until recently been drawn over and over again to this subject, this connection between what this author describes as the 'Artistic Temperament,' and in this case Manic-Depressive Illness. I had been researching this subject strictly out of fascination and came upon this book at my local university's book store just the other day. It is beginning to answer many questions that I have had. The author is also the author of 'The Unquiet Mind', the memoir of her own personal account with mental illness.

I personally do not suffer from manic-depression but know many talented people who do.

We all have our ups and downs in life to be sure, but this goes deeper and looks into the lives of favorites like Vincent van Gogh, and many many others. The list is quite lengthy of the talented people whose names are recognized as huge talents in their fields. I can't wait to read more.

Jan 27, Lori Anderson rated it it was amazing Shelves: I marked this book up and down with a pencil, underlining passage after passage. I read this book trying to understand my depression and while the book is primarily about bipolar, which I don't have, it's full of information that can help someone fighting depression. And if you are trying to figure out where you lie within the spectrum, it's a helpful tool. As a jewelry designer, glass bead maker, and writer, I've always suspected there was something behind the "artistic temperament", and this bo I marked this book up and down with a pencil, underlining passage after passage.

As a jewelry designer, glass bead maker, and writer, I've always suspected there was something behind the "artistic temperament", and this book not only delves into the lives of various famous artists, composers, and authors, but talks to the ways depression and bipolar has been misunderstood. I highly recommend this book. Lori Anderson Blog Shop Facebook Nov 22, Kristin rated it really liked it. There is a danger, of course, in romanticizing biopolar disorder as some kind of marker of creativity.

It's worth pointing out that there are many creative people who don't suffer from the horrors of bipolar disorder, and many people with bipolar who are not creative.

That should probably be said again: The fact that some bipolar folks find creative ways to express themselves despi Interesting insights here. The fact that some bipolar folks find creative ways to express themselves despite this often debilitating and deadly illness is a nice little pay-off for the difficulties it causes in their lives.

And perhaps we can all benefit from their unique insights into the pains of the human condition that many people thankfully may never experience. I don't think Jamison romanticizes the illness, but I think this book could easily be misread--particularly if you ignore the tables which show the high suicide rates of untreated artists with bipolar disorder. While she is a big proponent of lithium and treating the illness, I don't think Jamison spends enough time discussing the faulty reasoning many artists have that medicating the illness will render them unable to produce any work.

The fact of the matter is few artists actually produce in a depressed phase and often don't survive it , and yet lithium does have the potential to remove those depressed phases, thus allowing the artist to produce even more. I think this book is important but ultimately does little for reducing the stigma of the illness and its myriad misconceptions--by sufferers and non-sufferers alike.

Sep 22, Cyd rated it it was amazing Shelves: This book adds context to Jamison's later and much more personal book, An Unquiet Mind , which she wrote only two years after this one. It also gives me more context for my own life. I am no Byron or Shelley or Van Gogh, but I believe her conclusions about manic-depressive illness and creativity apply to me nonetheless. Jamison really GETS it; her books make me feel less lonely. And not only does she totally get it; she is incredibly articulate about it. Highly recommend everything she has writte This book adds context to Jamison's later and much more personal book, An Unquiet Mind , which she wrote only two years after this one.

Highly recommend everything she has written for anyone living with manic-depressive illness a.

Jan 28, Debra Valentino rated it it was amazing. One of Jamison's earliest books, but she's always a consummate researcher and a conscientious writer. I love her work, and have read nearly everything she's published. In my opinion, she's that good though her memoir is not her best work. If you enjoy poetry or are interested in the lives of poets and writers, this is a fascinating study. Jan 31, Kirsten rated it really liked it Shelves: It's become something of a game in the popular media to diagnose long-dead artists with various chronic illnesses, in particular neurological and mental disorders such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder.

In this well-researched book, Jamison takes this beyond idle speculation and, using family histories, evidence from the artists' works particularly those of poets and writers , and personal papers, compelling argues that manic-depressive AKA bipolar disorder has play It's become something of a game in the popular media to diagnose long-dead artists with various chronic illnesses, in particular neurological and mental disorders such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder.

In this well-researched book, Jamison takes this beyond idle speculation and, using family histories, evidence from the artists' works particularly those of poets and writers , and personal papers, compelling argues that manic-depressive AKA bipolar disorder has played a huge role in the creative fire behind certain artists we consider geniuses. Jamison is herself manic-depressive and I highly recommend her memoir An Unquiet Mind , and it may be in part because of this that she does such an excellent job of avoiding glorifying this illness while still acknowledging that it seems to fuel a certain kind of genius in some artists.

She is quick to point out that there are boring, unproductive manic-depressives, and there are many great artists who seem to have been completely without mental illness. For this reason, I disagree with the Amazon. I do wish that Jamison had spent more time on exploring the relationship that modern artists who suffer from bipolar disorder have with their illness and with the medications that are now available to control it. She does spend some time talking about how lithium in large doses can suppress creative thought for some people, also noting that lower doses or different mood stabilizers frequently remedy this probablem.

But I wish there had been some case studies of modern artists to go along with the studies of past geniuses. Feb 10, Carter rated it really liked it. My gut reaction was to assume this connection was imaginary, but the science says otherwise. The book's term-paper structure makes for relatively slow, but very interesting, read. Aug 09, Sue rated it it was amazing Shelves: This was a great book!

So many great artistic minds moving at incredible speed to create masterpieces I read it over 10 years ago and then gave it away so can't refer to it now. I highly reccomend it! Musicians, Poets, Artists, etc Apr 21, Raegan Butcher rated it liked it Recommends it for: Interesting ramble thru the mental wards of art and literature to see the effects of mental illness on a wide variety of artists, painters, poets, writers and other assorted misfits.

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Jun 18, Z rated it liked it. The thing is, while I was bored to death while reading, it was my fault - I misunderstood, I thought the movie was an adaptation of this.

And I wanted to read this before watching the movie, I also wanted to read the author's work again, so I downloaded the book without research. The reason I give this three stars was that I know this had to take a lot of time and research and preparation - I think my favourite part was the chapter with family trees.

This could be an interesting read fo The thing is, while I was bored to death while reading, it was my fault - I misunderstood, I thought the movie was an adaptation of this. This could be an interesting read for people who are into this whole idea of mental illness and artistic temperament. I personally am not, and I was a bit concerned. Jamison herself does not romanticise any of the painful lives she writes about. But I couldn't help but get concerned about this book being misread, because someone will. Going through some of the comments here.

For some reason, bipolar disorder can't escape the fate of being romanticised and glorified, unless someone around you who's not an artist or writer or whatever happens to have it. Look at this scene. I don't know if that's how it works when someone older gets diagnosed, but I know very similar dialogues to this occur when teens and young adults get diagnosed - especially if the patient is into arts.

All those artists are shown to you as examples of 'success', as what you could be. I'm afraid this could be giving false hope to people.

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It's like saying, "yes, you have this thing, and it's not going away until you die, but you could be the next [artist], so it's worth it! Is this a price to pay? What if you don't have the tiniest chance to excel at something, then is your suffering in vain? And then again, back to the big question: Are you suddenly artistically gifted? I know that maybe doctors do that in order to give their patients something - false hope is still hope, and sometimes hope is impossible to find.

And I see that sometimes people embrace the idea, and sometimes don't. Yet it always rubs me the wrong way. Perhaps it's my own inadequacy. Something that made me cringe the entire time was her insistent use of the phrase "manic-depression".