Creativity and Depression

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I went to Gallery Row yesterday. It is small strip of Prince St., in Lancaster Pa., where many local artists have their art galleries. I had hoped to visit two of my friends  today; but, I ended up being to tired to get to the second gallery. 

I adore going to my friend's gallery. The music is calm, the gallery quiet and beauty surrounds me. The place is serene. The bonus there is not only do I get to talk with my friend, but I also get to watch him work.  If I am very tired, I can climb onto his comfy lounge chair in the back and watch him work and take a nap, if I need. 

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While there I showed him my blog and the ManTherapy website; I thought he'd get a kick out of it. This brought us to the topic of depression and creativity. For centuries, melancholia/depression has been linked to those involved in the creative arts. As a professional artist, he said he could understand why this is. He said "artists and creative types are part of the few that are willing to look within and delve depths of their souls. And as hard as it is to do this, we do this because we aren't willing to live a hum drum life. This self exploration allows us to become fully alive".

Now I dabble in fabric arts and crafts at times. I've often written poetry and I even have a published book. Yet, when in the midst of my deepest depression, like most poets, artists and composers, I am unable to work during this periods of severe depression. "In fact, many have found their inability to create while depressed to be an impetus for ending it all. Virginia Woolf, for example, unable to write during the onset of a depressive episode, filled her pockets with stones and submerged herself in the River Ouse."

According to Psychology Today there are 4 reasons that are believed to be connections between creativity and depression:

Artists and writers use their craft as a form of auto-therapy for depression. Their creativity helps to ward of  melancholia.

THE SCREAM    source

The experience of depression may provide subject matter for artistic creations: for example Edvard Munch's famous painting The Scream:


A person needs to experience both the joys and sorrows of life to fully comprehend the human condition, so they can or convey it meaningfully in their creative work. "Thus, depression provides the existential angst from which great art arises".

 Recovery from depression that inspires creative work: according to recent research it may just be the recovery from depression that is the inspiration for creative work rather than the depression.


Early I spoke about being in my friend's gallery. I thought you might like a glimpse inside it too. Below is a video of my friend, Freiman Stolzfus, inside his gallery. You'll some of his work in progress and he'll be speaking about the quilts (another art form) in Lancaster, county PA. I thought you might enjoy this YouTube Video entitled:

Lancaster Heritage Quilt Fund.m4v

References:

Ashby, F.G., Isen, A.M., & Turken, U. (1999). A neuropsychological theory of positive affect and its influence on cognition. Psychological Review, 106(3), 529-550. Jamison, K. (1989). Mood disorders and patterns of creativity in British writers and artists. Psychiatry, 52: 125-134.

Depression and the Men in My Life and Yours

It is hard when there are several people in the house that are depressed. I'm not talking about the normal type of sadness that you'd feel when say a loved one dies (that is grief). I'm talking a about a sadness that is hopeless, helpless, and one in which you feel worthless.

Not only am I depressed but my husband is also. I took a long time for my husband to accept the fact that he was depressed even though the sign's were all around him. Depression can look like any or all of the following in men:

Fatigue and decreased energy
Sleeping too much or too little, early morning wakefulness
Physical signs such as: backache, digestive disorders, headaches, aches or pains 
Overeating or loss of appetite  
Irritability, restlessness
Difficulty Concentrating
Anger or Hostility
Stress
Anxiety
Substance Abuse
Sexual Dysfunction
Indecision
Loss of pleasure in life and things that once brought pleasure (this includes sex)
Suicidal Thoughts  

If you are suicidal Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) if you are suicidal

But like most men, he didn't want to go to the doctor. He kept looking for other external reasons as to why he didn't feel right.  Finally, he went to the doctor. Physical reasons were ruled out. He was diagnosed with depression and was started on an antidepressant. Medication wasn't and isn't a quick fix. Although some medications claim you will start to feel better in as little as 2 weeks most people will not see improvement in there mood until 4 to 8 weeks.

He was also told to begin psychotherapy; also known as the talking cure. Going to therapy to get help isn't a sign of weakness, rather it is a sign of strength. It takes a real man to admit there is something wrong in his life, something that needs to be fixed and to be willing to go work on the issue. There are no easy fixes in life. There is no easy fix with depression. But it is important to see a doctor and rule out anything physical. If depression goes untreated it can worsen and may lead to suicide. But with medication, therapy and sometimes the need for other therapeutic interventions it can be managed.

Although depression and suicide are serious subjects learning about them doesn't have to be so grim. For a humorous and informative interactive website that is currently up see ManTherapy.org. I don't know how long it will be there but it is and excellent site on Manly Depression.

FYI-There is a new post on my blog One Sick Chick. I hope you enjoy today's cartoon.



*Thanks again to Doug Savage for allowing the use of his fantastic cartoon. They always make me laugh.