Kay Redfield Jamison

Kay Redfield Jamison is a distinguished American clinical psychologist and writer renowned for her extensive work on bipolar disorder, a condition she has personally experienced. She serves as the Dalio Professor in Mood Disorders and Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and is also an Honorary Professor of English at the University of St Andrews. Jamison’s academic journey began at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she earned her B.A. and M.A. in 1971, followed by a C.Phil. in 1973 and a PhD in 1975. She founded and directed UCLA’s Affective Disorders Clinic, significantly advancing outpatient treatment and research in mood disorders.

After her tenure at UCLA, Jamison transitioned to Johns Hopkins University, where she became a tenured professor. Her influence extends beyond the classroom; she has delivered distinguished lectures at prestigious institutions, including Harvard and Oxford. Jamison’s leadership roles include serving as Honorary President of the Canadian Psychological Association and participating in PBS discussions on brain research. Her contributions to the field have earned her numerous accolades, including the National Mental Health Association’s William Styron Award and a MacArthur Fellowship in 2001.

Jamison is also a prolific author, with over 100 academic articles and several influential books, including the classic textbook “Manic-Depressive Illness” and her memoir “An Unquiet Mind,” which has been praised for its candid exploration of her experiences with bipolar disorder. Her latest work, “Robert Lowell: Setting the River on Fire,” was a Pulitzer Prize Finalist for Biography in 2018, further solidifying her status as a leading voice in mental health.

Throughout her career, Jamison has been recognized as one of the “Best Doctors in the United States” and was named a “Hero of Medicine” by Time magazine. Her dedication to understanding and treating mood disorders, combined with her personal insights, has made her a pivotal figure in both clinical psychology and public discourse on mental health. Jamison continues to inspire many through her research, writing, and advocacy for those affected by mental illness.