"Being crazy" is generally a negative characterization today, yet many celebrated artists, leaders, and successful individuals have achieved greatness despite suffering from mental illness. This book explores the many different representations of mental illness that exist—and sometimes persist—in both traditional and new media across eras.

• Showcases a wide variety of media representations of mental illness and enables readers choose which views they accept

• Documents how the work of "classic" authors who wrote about or experienced mental illness—such as Poe or Lovecraft—remain relevant today

• Spotlights examples of how popular culture such as comedies mirror changing attitudes toward mental illness and are helping pave the path to greater acceptance