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BS: Minddrugs and Creativity
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BS: Minddrugs and Creativity |
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Subject: Minddrugs and Creativity From: Amergin Date: 16 Aug 00 - 06:45 AM I have been having these thoughts about going back on the antidepressants.....others have been telling me to do it also....I also recognise the need for them and the possiblity of taking them permanently.......the problem is that I'm worried if they will clash against my creativity....hurt my writing (which is one of the most important things to me).....deaden the feelings I try to project... This may be a stupid question but have those of you who take them experienced any negative "side effects" (besides the medical ones) affecting your creative works, such as playing, writing, drawing, or whatever it is you do? Amergin |
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Subject: RE: BS: Minddrugs and Creativity From: Callie Date: 16 Aug 00 - 07:26 AM Amergin, I sympathise with your predicament. The drugs I have to take have quite affected me. The depth of feelings for things is not as high, low or intense as it used to be. However, I take the stuff out of necessity, as the lows and intense periods were too painful to handle. As a result, I am able to get more creative work done and also interact with others better. It's easier to finish things and do several things at once, and not be overcome with insecurities and self-hatred. However, it has taken that absolute vision away from my life and work, but all things considered it's probably the healthiest approach. Do beware of addiction. If I miss more than 2 days medication (I forget or I run out) I go through acute withdrawl, and can result in a few days of inactivity, which is NOT good for creative work. However, at the moment I know no better solution than to keep taking it. Without knowing your details, I'd encourage you to take the medication and see how it affects you. You may be pleasantly surprised. If it's not working you can always change drugs or stop taking it. Strength and courage! Callie |
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Subject: RE: BS: Minddrugs and Creativity From: paddymac Date: 16 Aug 00 - 12:20 PM It takes great courage to even talk about these things in a public forum and i doff my hat to the both of you. Some people take their chemicals in pill form, and others take them from a tap or bottle, or yet some other source or fashion. Some take them with "medical supervision" and some without. However done, the difference between use and abuse is a fine line. The key is in finding the right balance, a very individual thing. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Minddrugs and Creativity From: little john cameron Date: 16 Aug 00 - 12:26 PM Noo Amergin listen tae yer uncle John. Ye never said if ye were takin the pills on the docs orders or on yer ain.Anytime ye are stertin oot on new medication as it has tae be done gradually as the side effects are different fur different fowk. Ah'm on Zoloft an hae nae bother ataw,bit ah ken ithers that hae aw kinds o problems.Oor pal Rick can tell ye aboot lots o fine fowk that are no wi us noo because o gaun aff the heid on uppers. Hae ye been diagnosed as bein clinically depressed?If no mibbe ye're jist awfy fed up.Even yer doc has trouble tellin the difference.Hoo aboot if ye jist hae a wee toke noo an again?That can stimulate yer creativity unless ye are ane o them that fa's asleep wi it.The main ingredient in a lot o these anti-depressants is "speed" so ye can get burnt oot gie quick if ye owerdae it.Ye'll also notice that ane o the side effects could be that ye stert tae post messages in a strange language!!! Depression is an awfy bummer ah know but unless it is clinical ye wid be safer jist tae talk tae yer freens an hae a laugh,it's a lot safer. Anither thing.Don't be sucked in wi the flamers on here.Ye dont hae tae answer them.They are the anes wi the problem. Ah'll be thinkin aboot ye. LJC |
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Subject: RE: BS: Minddrugs and Creativity From: sophocleese Date: 16 Aug 00 - 12:29 PM The only time I ever used antidepressants I simply got very sleepy all the time. Not good for creativity at all. However for a few weeks after I went off of them I was quite energetic before I slumped again. Its an individual call I think. If you've been on them before can you remember what you felt like then? Do you have examples of your work while on them to compare to what your stuff is like off of them? There are different kinds of anti-depressants, you might need to spend a couple of years experimenting before you find something that works for you. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Minddrugs and Creativity From: hesperis Date: 16 Aug 00 - 12:29 PM Amergin, I can relate to your feelings. Three years ago, I was feeling very hopeless and suicidal. I was against drugs for religious reasons (personal opinion), and I don't react very well to drugs in general, so I read a lot of self-help books for a while... I would strongly recommend Feeling Good, by Dr. David Burns. He talks about the common attitudes that depressed people have, and how to talk back to them in a way that works. (Writing it down!) It basically is the technique half of positive thinking - the half that tells you how to actually do it, in a realistic way. That said, sometimes you just have to batten down the hatches and weather out the storm. (If you're not taking drugs, that is.) Since then, I have discovered that there is a difference between melancholy, which to me is a 'low' feeling that leads to incredibly creative art, and yet is somehow easy and calm in the center, even with feeling like hell, and depression, which to me is frustration, hopelessness, apathy, and self-destruction. And incredible psychological pain. I do find that the medical profession really gets pushy about drugs. I didn't want not to be me, even in the middle of hell. That passion, and that black icky muck, is still me, is still important. I wanted to deal with it in my own way, and heal it in my own way, and they got really pushy with me. I was feeling suicidal, so I can understand their fear, but I told them the music I had inside of me wouldn't let me go. I had to live that the music could be born, and sometimes I hated that dedication I had made to it previously. (Does that sound manic to you?) Now it's ragweed season again, and I'm still fine on the depression count, in spite of the ragweed. Ha! Whatever works. And whatever you decide, blessings on your path. hesperis
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Subject: RE: BS: Minddrugs and Creativity From: Morticia Date: 16 Aug 00 - 12:52 PM What isn't being taken into account thus far is the difference between reactive depression i.e. that which has come about for a reason or as a reaction to a set of circumstances, past or present and clinical depression which can come upon the sufferer at any time for no discernible reason......this is simplistic I know but,if it is the latter I feel it is best to treat it as one would a physical illness ( which clinical depression is) and take the recommmended drugs as one would if one had a headache or whatever. If you are feeling crappy enough, the music will have to take a back seat until you've 'dealt with it'...it will still be there when you feel better....the crucial thing is to believe you will get better and that 'this too will pass'. This is speaking from my own experience of course and everyone is different.....but when it gets bad enough you'll make the right choice for you. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Minddrugs and Creativity From: GUEST Date: 16 Aug 00 - 01:25 PM There was a quasi-related thread...click here. In case that didn't work ... the title of the thread was Drugs and "Creativity" at http://www.mudcat.org/thread.CFM?threadID=16966...by Mudcat member "Mandy" My personal experience is that the most insightful people are generally unhappy, and there are numerous writers, artists, musicians, etc. to whom one can point to validate my experience. Perhaps happy people (with exceptions of course) are not motivated towards creativity because they're satisfied with the way things are. Those who are dissatisfied with the status quo are usually the ones who attempt to change things by contributing art or ideas to the mix. Your own creative efforts may be in response to the endless inundation of crappy music foisted on unsuspected listeners. Arguably, the motivation to invent or discover something new comes from the desire to alleviate an inconvenience or an uncomfortable state of affairs. Just musing.... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Minddrugs and Creativity From: Callie Date: 16 Aug 00 - 11:41 PM Hello Guest That doesn't account for all the people who are depressed but AREN'T creative. They're worse off than anyone, aren't they? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Minddrugs and Creativity From: campfire Date: 17 Aug 00 - 01:03 AM Amergin - I have a very close personal friend who is a semi-professional musician. He is also, as GUEST points out above, one of those who is "on the edge" quite frequently. A few years back, due to divorce, custody bulls***, near bankruptcy, etc. etc., the lows got low enough that he agreed to go on one of the antidepressants (probably as opposed to jumping out a window or hanging himself with his guitar strap). His experience was that they got him through life on a day by day basis. Not such low lows, also no highs. Just kindof a flat existance, but he was able to deal with the pressures of his situation. He did find that his instruments got pretty lonely and he quit writing. At first he tried to force himself, but he didn't like anything that came out. But he was getting up in the morning, going to work, and eating. "Getting through". After a while, he and his doctor agreed to taper off and then quit the drugs. The first time was too soon, and before his music "came back", the anxiety and whatnot got to him again. But later, he did quit the antidepressants, and now feels as creative as he did prior to the drugs. He isn't playing out as much as before, but that's a choice he made, to be available for his children whenever the ex- lets him, rather than being out of town performing. Best wishes, and if you need to talk to someone, send me a PM. campfire |
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Subject: RE: BS: Minddrugs and Creativity From: Lepus Rex Date: 17 Aug 00 - 02:25 AM I despise all drugs. Only take them if I've got a really bad virus. For me, talking MY life here, a life full of false, man-made happiness is worse than death. I don't drink alcohol, smoke, or do drugs, legal or illegal. I was on antidepressants when I was in my early teens, and I don't think they did a damned thing for me, besides make me numb. I don't recall how they effected my creativity, since I don't remember much from back then. Then they said I had... What was it called? Attention deficit disorder or something. They put me on Ritalin for exactly ONE day before I went berserk at school, 'verbally assaulted' the vice-principal, terrorised some 6th graders, and got roughed up (knee to the gut, face smashed into the ground)and arrested by the cops (after I led them on a short chase through the snow). AND this all happened on the day my father was getting some award. (he had to leave the ceremony...) This was a lousy day. I didn't get in any legal trouble, and the next day, we went to the shrink. He told us that, oops, seems the Ritalin, which he now told us had basically the same effect as speed, was the wrong prescription for me. He said the Ritalin was what caused the extreme, sudden, violent change in my behaviour. Heh. Now, I take partial responsibility for acting like an asshole that day. But it wouldn't have happened if I hadn't taken the drugs that morning. Since then, I've avoided all mind-altering drugs, inc. alcohol. Doctors hand out mind-altering substances like freakin' Skittles, and I don't think that most of their patients truly need them. Especially children. So I'd say think twice about it. I've seen what stronger (legal) drugs can do to people; I've seen smart, funny people turned into twitching, drooling shells, all because they were 'depressed'. It's not worth it. ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: BS: Minddrugs and Creativity From: Sorcha Date: 17 Aug 00 - 03:51 AM Oh, golly gee, here, Amergin. Just what is it with musicans/entertainers and Depression? In my experience, motst of the GOOD SONGS come from sadness or depression. Not to say there are no good HAPPY songs at all.......and the difference betweeen Sad Songs and Depression is moot.....
I have been on Zoloft for 2 years now, and it has mellowed out the High/Low effect, with no other side effects, and saved me from severe suicidal downs, but I was never a good writer to begin with.
Try it for at least 2 months, and if you still don't like yourself or IT, drop it off as gradually as you gained it. Once you start, it is UP gradually, and you cannot stop suddenly; you must back off as gradually as you started, or you will be in the DEEP PIT again. If your DR does not understand this, find a new DR. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Minddrugs and Creativity From: GUEST Date: 17 Aug 00 - 08:24 AM Most decidedly, Callie.....you hear it lots of times: "If it weren't for so-and-so or such-and-such, I never would've made it through." Like the late great James Marshall Hendrix said in "Red House"
I got a bad, bad feelin' It's truly scary to think of those who don't have anyone or anything to fall back on in times of trouble. Surely they're in a very, very dark place. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Minddrugs and Creativity From: Bill D Date: 17 Aug 00 - 01:48 PM I tried them a couple of times...one seemed to help after awhile....one turned me into a zombie with no drive and no libido... everyone is different. A friend just started a newish one called Celexa which is supposed to have fewer side effects, and reports feeling a bit better after 2-3 days of being pretty sleepy.....you just have to try it... |