"And Something's odd - within - That person that I was - And this One - do not feel the same - Could it be Madness - this?" -Emily Dickinson Often today, we misunderstand and are quick to judge artists for their emotional shortfalls. More and more, scientists and psychologists are finding strong links between manic depressive disorders and creative genius. Some forms of what we consider mental illness are more common among writers, artists and musicians. Studies show that serious depression strikes artists ten times more often than it does the general population. That's not to say that depression causes creativity, mind you. But that the creative genius style of thinking often allows the artist to ruminate and dwell in self-reflection longer than more and it causes them to be more likely to probe corners of their mind that most others are content to ignore. In manic episodes, many of the great musicians like Schumann and Mozart wrote their most prolific pieces. They also wrote many ordinary ones, but it's interesting to note that it was the mania that caused the really great emotional pieces to be lifted higher. Mania gives the artist a huge boost in energy level, and breaks free the inhibition of normal thought process. Perhaps the openness and sensitivity of creative genius can expose them to greater suffering and pain. That their passion often exposes raw nerves so that they can receive the world on their terms and experience it at a greater level. Some argue that it's the lifestyle lived by the artists that cause the depression, since it's a very isolated life and doesn't provide any emotional stability. For actors and actresses of our time, they seem to have more handlers and publicists than they do true honest people in their circle to provide them with emotional balance and a sense of not being alone. We judge this from the outside as if there is something wrong mentally with someone who has all this wealth and fame and can't handle the pressure. But what we don't understand is that these people are without good care, and everyone starts seeing them as a paycheck. They know it and it drives them further into a cycle of self-reflection, insecurity and thus; depression. We often suggest, in ignorance, that they all be medicated and seek professional help. But every creative mind I've ever come across feels stymied by medication. They don't create, and aren't inspired by anything in their life enough to continue their creative ventures. When we talk about the bodies of work of Hunter S. Thompson, Vincent Van Gogh, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Theodore Roethke, Edgar Allen Poe and Lord Byron all of whom have been known to be manic depressive people in their life, would we suggest now that they be medicated? Would their greatest works have ever been published? What is the bigger tragedy; that a man lived all his life with no passion and created almost no impact on society or his community... or a man who lived vibrantly and notably and created works of great admiration... but who died earlier than he should have through self-destruction?
Very good point. I've often thought about this. We create an artificial "norm" and then force all people to aim for it as an ideal. The diversity of human thought creativity and experience is ample evidence that one size does not fit all. I think we sometimes confuse happiness with an artificially imposed construct of sameness. i.e. if everyone is the same, all will be well. Thats the root of much of these prescritptions of mood altering drugs. People are trying to meet unrealistic expectations of "normalcy" to "feel happy" in a way they think they are supposed to. All this does is damage them as human beings.
Hmm, let someone burn themselves out, and live a life of depression just so the rest of us can enjoy a decent tune/ book? Interesting... Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Tis better that people be remembered for who they were not what they accomplished or did not accomplish. To live a life without a manic depression episode as I once had every few months is a true blessing. I'm sure those who are afflicted would rather lead a "normal" life rather than one not knowing if they will survive the next depression swing or not. The hell with anyone who thinks others should be left alone and not helped because they know not what it is to truly suffer the depths of depression.
As someone who is a diagnosed manic depressive, with a highly creative side, I do disagree. I find your judgement and condamnation very self-righteous. I would rather NOT live a "normal" life if that means that my world is less vibrant, and less coloured than it is now. My cycles occur quite more frequently than once every few months and they have taken me to the depths of several attempted suicides to the top of thinking I was invincible and on the top of the world. My writing when I am in a manic episode is notably more eloquent and beautiful. People feel my writing when I am writing in that kind of mood. Whether it be darkness, or light... fantasy, sci-fi or horror. But it is my way of connecting with people. Of letting them into my world and get a glimpse of how my mind spins, seemingly out of control at times. My mania allows me to break free of normal controls and trust issues and explore each and every impulse, every notion, every passion. It's the difference for me, from a world rich with emotions and landscapes a veritable Through the Looking Glass if you will, to a world of white walls and padded furniture. The creative side of me is there when I am medicated or stable, but it's raw and powerful when I am manic. Even after the mania ends, there is a quality to the works I write when I am midst an episode that is clearly more creative and passionate than when I am not. I do not wish to quell this passion, even if it means me being wildly depressed. Even if it means I will suffer. In my darkest hours, I have made someone else feel not so alone. Is that not a purpose worth living for? For what do we judge ourselves on? Should we judge ourselves on how well we behave and act in our society? Are we not good citizens if we are not acting "normal"? How do you judge? Think Poe would have been remembered for who he was if he hadn't been a poet? Hunter S? Lewis Carroll? They are notable for what they produced during times of highs and lows. Normal is rubbish. Good for the uncreative masses who plod by and accept what other people tell them to do is right, a tragedy for those of us who can't stand to live in a world that lacks passion and raw energy. On medication, I find peace... but not much else. I am bored and boring. Stable, but plastic. Off medication, I find peace and turmoil, happiness and sadness, despair and joy all in great abundance. Why should I want to sate the demons to live a "normal" life? And yes, many people who are wildly creative end up burning themselves out. Through drugs or driven mad by their depression. But who are we to tell them how to live their lives? Who are we to judge them? Why are we so quick to say that their lives would have been "better" had they been medicated? What IS better to them, and who are you to tell them that it is?
I understand your position. Let me give you the background for mine. Shortly after my mothers death, while I was working on two projects at the same time, I found myself increasingly tired, weepy and unable to meet my goals [I have daily goals]. This frustrated me and affected my performance. Since I had been unable to obtain leave to attend my mothers funeral, I thought maybe it was unresolved resentment and went to meet a counselor. We had a heavy session and she advised me that I was severely depressed. I went to the clinic with this paperwork and was prescribed anti-depressants. I do not like taking drugs which affect my brain, but it was a serious situation so I decided to go ahead. After a week I was still feeling the same so I went back and they changed my drug and gave me an increased dosage. A month and I was still the same. So they did a blood test and I found out I had mono. Nevertheless I was recommended to continue the antidepressants for six months as I might otherwise "crash" The antidepressant they gave me had a strange effect. I felt nothing. My mothers death became irrelevant and meaningless to me, as did my work and all the things I usually enjoyed doing. I have no personal experience of manic depression, but I cannot imagine going through life feeling nothing. I am defined by my emotions, my passions, my extreme investment in whatever I take up. I am "involved" to the point of obsession in whatever I love. To me taking medication is like a voluntary lobotomy. Feel nothing, fear nothing. So I cannot see the point of such an existence But if you feel "better" with medication, I don't see why you should not opt for it. I just think there should be support systems for people like me, who would not want to go there. btw, its why I cannot answer the poll. Its not black or white for me. I need a third option. Why not let the person choose?
This I can agree with whole-heartedly. We want sameness. We want everyone to be normal, to be stable... because stable is happy, right? Happy to whom? We over-medicate instead of learning how to live with each other and look out for one another. When I have someone in my life, as I do right now, who knows who I am and how quickly things can unravel for me... they can look for the warning signs and know how to deal with them. To keep me from falling, or climbing too high. Someone who loves my creativity, despite my penchant for out-of-control behaviour. Always quick to forgive if my tongue bites acidic, or keep vigilant if I am way down in my darkness as he knows that it's just something I am going through. Not all creative people have that, but is it right to medicate them to "protect" themselves and get them to be "normal"? I don't think so. Passion and creativity is a powerful force that can change the world. Why would we want to medicate the majority of it? “The first step - especially for people with energy and drive and talent, but not money - the first step to controlling your world is to control your culture. To model and demonstrate the kind of world you demand to live in. To write the books. Make the music. Shoot the films. Paint the art.” ~Chuck Palahniuk
At what point do we have the authority to force another human being to abide by our status quo? If someone finds solace in creativity over medication, who are we to say they are worse off? I find it troubling when ww try to shape society so that it can fit our preconceived notion of how "normal citizens" act. Personally, knowing that I fall short of some of these unachivable standards is enough to bring about a bout of depression.
I was speaking in terms of the way we judge them, not neccessarily in the way we treat them. When it comes to light that a person was manic depressive, we often ask, "Why weren't they medicated?" instead of asking ourselves whether or not they want to be. I should have specified.
:bravo: This is basically exactly what I was gonna say. I'd rather accept the challenges that come with being what you are than be forced into that construct of sameness. If I could have exceptional creative skills, but on the downside be prone to depression, well, I think that is fair. You can't have the good side without the bad side.
Its my observation that most people become "unhappy" with who they are because they fail to meet some social expectation of who they should be. This is ridiculous. Why should someone else determine who or what you are? You can never be all things to all people, its easier to simply be true to yourself. Again, I am not certain about how I would respond to the poll. One of the points not covered by my mental perambulations is the degree of what is defined as personal responsibility. I haven't thought it through, but at what point is a person not capable of choosing their own way of coping?
Everything that I have ever accomplished... Anything that "the people" think is worthy of respect or even recognition... Was accomplished during one of my "manic" phases. Now that I am happily medicated out of such extremes - alas, I accomplish little of interest. But I do tend to hang out at SF often! Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
This is not a valid question when you're talking about "mental illness". Humans are social animals. You can not totally control how you will react towards someone else's expectations of you. It is easy to blow-off a stranger but when it's your mother or father that look down on you, well, that will have an effect on your mental state. That is unless you somehow distanced yourself from them to the point that you consider them to be an "outsider". What your boss thinks of you will effect your productivity. Keeping up with the Jones's is an expression toward how we allow others to determine how we present ourselves. Some people are just more susceptible to this kind of behavior than others.
Suggesting people do something about the pain they are in is fine. But it's their responsibility and choice, and not ours. And I don't think it is anyone's place to tell another person they should be on drugs. There are other ways of dealing this emotional issues, even really painful and potentially chronic ones - I speak from experience. In the end, they should decide if they do something and what they do about it. Who are we to tell them what is more important for them?
Further, perhaps the connection between creativity and suffering is not 'in' the artist. Perhaps they are able to connect the dots as to the ways things are messed up around them. Canaries in the coal mine. Once we medicate them, we are shutting off a symptom rather than solving a problem.
But they aren't mentally healthy. How can they make a healthy decision when their brain is holding them hostage?
I'm not sure what you are suggesting. Do you want to go back to the time when it was easy to commit someone? We used to commit women for being uppity or non-traditional. Not that I see the issue as simple or easy for people close to someone suffering. Do we include workaholics? People who work 12 days 7 days a week and eat poorly? Shall we medicate them? Women who sleep with ooky men because their self-esteem is low? People who engage in risk sports like hang gliding or race car driving? And to directly answer your question, yes, in most cases of what gets called manic depression or bipolar syndrome then can make the decision. And yes, I do know all about mania, trust me. I do not think that people have to sit by silently and watch loved ones - friends or family - suffer. I think confronting a loved one with sympathy and even anger over what seem like self-destructive patterns can be the loving thing to do. But I think it is their decision and that in these confrontations we should not tell them what we think they are - most of us do not have the training to diagnose - or what they should do. Honest loud expressions of feeling. Or honest quiet expressions of feeling. Or refusals to hang out. Whatever is honest and comes within our expertise and responsibility. But to say to someone 'you are manice depressive and you should take drugs' is hubris and absolutely not something we can know and not just because most of us lack the right to diagnose, but because we cannot know what it feels like for them to be who they are or how it feels for them to be medicated, pathologized.
