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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by naiad on January 21, 2004, at 4:35:56
In taking my family history I told my pdoc about my sister who experienced a severe depression a few years ago. She is much better and has been off of anti-depressants for a couple of years now but is thinking about going back on because she thinks she might have an underlying depression that is inhibiting her creativity. She is a painter who is becoming quite successful.
My pdoc said that she thinks medication benefits artists but that many of them tell her they are afraid it will take away the angst that fuels their art.
Anyone with any experience/insight? Thanks.
Posted by lookdownfish on January 21, 2004, at 6:23:03
In reply to Creativity and depression, posted by naiad on January 21, 2004, at 4:35:56
My personal view is that being depressed inhibits creativity, rather than fuels it. I'm not a very creative person though, so people who consider themselves artists may feel differently. The only creative thing I do is to write a few tunes for my guitar. I can't even be bothered to pick up the guitar when I'm depressed. And I wrote some of my better songs when I was on anti-ds including a really embarrassing love song about my therapist. Anti-ds, in my experience, don't completely block out the angst, just make you better equiped to deal with it. So maybe it also depends on how heavy the dose is.
Posted by Joslynn on January 21, 2004, at 8:35:18
In reply to Re: Creativity and depression, posted by lookdownfish on January 21, 2004, at 6:23:03
I'm a writer and I'm on Lexapro. (Hmm, that sounds like a commercial.) Since being on meds, I haven't noticed a big difference either way in my creative writing or in the writing I have to do for my job. However, I do write a lot less in my journal.
When I stopped being depressed, I had less time for writing, because I isolated less and met more people. I guess it's a trade-off.
Posted by cubic_me on January 21, 2004, at 9:02:13
In reply to Re: Creativity and depression, posted by Joslynn on January 21, 2004, at 8:35:18
I haven't found any meds that work for me yet, so I can't comment on the link between meds and depression. But I am definately more creative when I am depressed. I am creative in an angst kind of way, but I use artwork, writing and poetry as a way to express what I am feeling, and when I am not depressed I have no need to express and therefore no desire to be creative.
Hope that makes sense!
_me
Posted by Poet on January 21, 2004, at 9:32:56
In reply to Creativity and depression, posted by naiad on January 21, 2004, at 4:35:56
What I consider to be my best poetry was written when I was depressed. Poetry has always been my way to let some sadness out.
I wouldn't go off ADs to be able to write sad stuff again, I just have to train my brain to write what I'm feeling up or down.
Poet
Posted by Penny on January 21, 2004, at 9:45:00
In reply to Creativity and depression, posted by naiad on January 21, 2004, at 4:35:56
I journal a lot less when I'm doing well. But my journaling when I'm depressed is, well, depressing.
I think my creativity is more cathartic when I'm depressed, but I'd much rather not be depressed, so I'm trying to get in touch with my happier but still creative side.
P
Posted by Joslynn on January 21, 2004, at 10:32:20
In reply to Re: Creativity and depression, posted by Penny on January 21, 2004, at 9:45:00
Agree about journaling more when I am depresssed. I also journal more when I am obsessing, which is something I haven't done in a long time.
I have more angst to write about when I am depressed, but just because someting is angst-ridden doesn't mean the quality is good. This I have learned from looking back at some of my old poetry!
I wonder if Dr. Bob will move my post to the writing thread.
Posted by judy1 on January 21, 2004, at 11:09:49
In reply to Creativity and depression, posted by naiad on January 21, 2004, at 4:35:56
I feel most meds dampen my creativity, but it's a trade off. If I am really in bad shape, then I'm not going to get too much done. But if it's just some anxiety, then I feel that fuels my creativity and I don't want to take any medication and just use my coping skills instead. I think some of the finests artists/writers, etc. have done their best work with some angst. I guess it all depend on your level of comfort.
take care, judy
Posted by 64Bowtie on January 21, 2004, at 20:19:13
In reply to Creativity and depression, posted by naiad on January 21, 2004, at 4:35:56
"The Courage to Create" by Rollo May
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 21, 2004, at 23:26:26
In reply to Re: Creativity and depression, posted by Joslynn on January 21, 2004, at 10:32:20
> I wonder if Dr. Bob will move my post to the writing thread.
I would in fact like to redirect this thread to the new Psycho-Babble Writing board. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/write/20040102/msgs/304003.html
Thanks,
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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