How many of you writers live with depression?

[Writer]

I deal with it daily. I ought to keep track of it on a numerical scale so I can see if there's any progress.

Do any of you also live with depression?

[hiaasenrocks]

1. Yep.

I think there's some truth to the idea that creative people in general live with difficulties like that. I have no proof, of course, outside of my own experience and a few people I know who are creative in various ways.

I know that my writing is therapeutic, and I get a great deal of joy out of reading as well.

[Writer]

2. I tend to journal in order to flush out my system before I write.

Sometimes it's stream of conscious writing, but it's helped.

But yes, I agree. I think writers are more susceptible to depression. They tend to be more estranged from society on a daily basis.

[petgoat]

3. Depression is no longer an issue with me.

I discovered Albert Ellis's concept of rational emotive therapy.
Ellis believes that all human unhappiness comes from irrational
ideas. That's about all I know about it--I never read any of his
books, but I set out to banish irrational ideas from my life.

For instance the idea that simply because I am gifted, I should
therefore be successful. The idea that because I was privileged,
I am therefore responsible for society's sins. The idea that
society should be less destructive and wasteful than it is.

The last idea is certainly an appealing one, so some people would
resent it being labeled irrational. It's an idea that I support
entirely even while recognizing that I can not provide a rational
basis for it. The point is, I am not going to let the destructive
and wasteful behavior of others make me unhappy. Instead, I will
let my efforts to combat those behaviors make me happy.

A lot of the irrational ideas you carry around with you are likely
to have the word "should" in them. You should be this way, you should
do this, the world should respond to you in some desired way. A lot
of this garbage comes from your parents. Try to identify it, and
put it in a cardboard box and lock it up in a storage unit. If you
decide you want it back, you can always go get it.



Also, alcohol levels out my moods. Some may consider this cure worse
than the disease, but it works for me.

[supernova]

4. well as long as you're not

"leveling out your moods" with more then the recommended level of alchohol, then we won't worry. ;-)

[petgoat]

8. Alcohol tends to be self-regulating.

When you've drunk too much, the bottle's empty.
After 2:00 a.m. the Bodega locks up the beer locker.

Besides, you start spilling the stuff.
Also you fall asleep.

[HamdenRice]

9. LOL!

Not rhetorically, I actually burst out laughing!

[petgoat]

11. Also, you tend to burn yourself up with misplaced cigarettes.

Thanks, Hamden. I've appreciated your work in the 9/11 forum.
You've got more brains in your toenails than I've got in my
entire body.

[FedUpWithIt All]

13. RET changed my whole perspective

:hi:

i learned it several years ago and it really turned things around for me. The stuff works but it is not easy. Takes a lot of self analysis and work.

[Orrex]

5. Not to make light of your question, but...

I wonder how many people cope with depression by writing? Rather than thinking of it in terms of "writers may tend to be depressed," I find it interesting that many people I've known have been more productive in their writing (or in their creative efforts in general) when working through depression.

Your question is important, and if writing can help you (or anyone) ammeliorate the pain of depression, I say that's terrific!

But don't leave it at that--someone suffering through daily depressionshould really consider professional counseling. The illness is nothing to be ashamed of, nor is its treatment.

Best wishes to you in any case!

[supernova]

10. I can vouch for this

I've had a theory for a while that creative people use whatever their talent is (art, music, words, dance) to relieve their depression. I'm sure we're all familiar with artists statements that

"I just have to (talent here) or I'll die!"

In a way I think that's true, at least you feel like it if you can't indulge in your talent, In our case it's writing. I know I can't.

And it is true that some of my most passionate, intense stuff comes when I'm really down. And don't ask about my special PMS diary. :P

[RetroLounge]

6. ...

:hi:

RL

[shadowknows69]

7. Present and accounted for

crazy as the proverbial loon probably.

[fasttense]

12. Only when I see the going rate for short stories. n/t

[BikeWriter]

14. Waves a hand. Many writers do.

:hi:

[Der Blaue Engel]

15. Yup. n/t