Alice Weaver Flaherty

American neurologist and author

Alice Weaver Flaherty is an American neurologist and author known for her work in the field of neurology and her contributions to literature. She is a prominent figure in the study of hypergraphia and creativity.

Early life and education

Alice Weaver Flaherty was born in the United States. She pursued her undergraduate studies at Harvard University, where she developed an interest in the neurosciences. She later attended Harvard Medical School, earning her MD degree. During her medical training, she became fascinated with the neurological underpinnings of creativity and mental health.

Career

Alice Weaver Flaherty at Echo Lake, 2013

Flaherty completed her residency in neurology at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital. She is currently a faculty member at Harvard Medical School and practices at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Her clinical work focuses on movement disorders and neuropsychiatry.

Flaherty is renowned for her research on hypergraphia, a condition characterized by an overwhelming urge to write. Her interest in this area was partly inspired by her own experiences with the condition following a period of postpartum depression. She has explored the relationship between neurological disorders and creative expression, contributing significantly to the understanding of how brain function influences artistic and literary creativity.

Publications

Alice Weaver Flaherty is the author of several books and numerous scientific articles. Her most notable work, The Midnight Disease: The Drive to Write, Writer's Block, and the Creative Brain, delves into the neurological basis of writing and creativity. The book combines personal narrative with scientific exploration, offering insights into the complex interplay between the brain and creative processes.

In addition to her books, Flaherty has published extensively in academic journals, covering topics such as neurology, psychiatry, and the neuroscience of creativity. Her work is widely cited in the fields of neuropsychology and creative studies.

Personal life

Alice Weaver Flaherty is married and has children. She has spoken openly about her experiences with mental health challenges, including postpartum depression, and how these experiences have informed her professional work and writing.

Related pages

• Neurology
• Creativity
• Hypergraphia
• Harvard Medical School
• Massachusetts General Hospital