Posted by Artman on October 7, 2002, at 14:26:00
In reply to Any artists, musicians out there on meds?, posted by lawrence s. on October 5, 2002, at 20:23:47
I'm a pewtersmith, 41, and I have bipolar with ocd and have taken lithium and prozac for 14 years. I also had agoraphobia (started at 15) and PTSD from parents nasty divorce. Before meds I was bouncing off the walls. The highs were great, the lows suicidal. Pressure of speech, flight of ideas, etc. I miss the hyperawareness and connection with external environment. I would get tons of ideas, never completed anything. Worry and anxiety are still a big block most of the time. Going through mid-life crap and the stress is causing my meds to screw up. The meds saved my life and allow me to stay focused, but tend to make me drowsy("lithium shuffle"). Stress causes breakthrough episodes of OCD, anxiety, and depression. Finally taking risk on my art after 20 years of avoiding it. Scared out of my mind, OCD rampant, but moving ahead with things anyway. I tried Topomax but with no success. Have found Zen sitting and blind contour drawing to be very helpful in stopping the intrustive thoughts. Have been using Omega-3 flaxseed oil for a few months now and it seems to take the edge off of the depression. I use it as an adjunct and never plan to stop taking meds. Make sure you drink your water. 8 glasses. I need to get better at that myself. I hope some of my comments help you.
poster:Artman
thread:122468
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021006/msgs/122669.html