The artist &the emotional world

In this unique blending of clinical experience with in-depth biographical study, Gedo examines both the necessary traits that prepare a person for a creative career as well as the emotional vicissitudes of such a career-the psychological issues talented persons must struggle with in order to be creative. He then goes further to discuss crucial developmental experiences that may result in a creative personality-childhood experiences, the strong, possibly negative, effect of a possession of talent on personality, and the influence of opportunities provided by a creator's environment. Gedo also details attributes required of the successful artist, the possible need to separate creativity from psychosis, and the evolution of psychoanalytic views on creativity.