Bipolar and creativity?
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Bipolar and creativity?
| Sat, 07-02-2005 - 8:38am |
I'm grappling with some annoying stuff here. When I'm not on my meds and manic I am wildly creative, which is great because I'm a scrapbooker with several online duties. I also design and sell my own digital scrapbooking kits. Since I started Abilify and lost my mania my creative edge has BOTTOMED OUT. Then when the depression set in... well, I just can't seem to get anything done, or enjoy the work that I DO manage to complete. I started Lexapro a couple weeks ago, and I'm hoping for a release from this depression, but...
have I lost my creativity????
Any thoughts on this?

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valerie,
while i am by no means a professional, this very subject has intrigued me for quite a while. i won't say that your creativity is gone, but think it's more likely hidden beneath the depression. i am a firm believe that the bp and creativity are definitely linked within and the creativity remains there, we just have to find new ways of tapping into it when on meds.
i know this probably does not offer much, but give the lexapro some time to get in there and see what happens then. from what i've seen from a number of *well known* people once on the right meds, the creativity shines through once again. i can only hope that it's the same for us everyday people.
hang in there and keep plugging at it. you will get better. we're here for you and hoping with you.
hugs,
traci
Valerie,
I don't consider myself a true "artist" but rather artsy-craftsy (and we could have have a big discussion on that topic alone!).
I am a published writer....I have the same problem.
Please visit my website!
http://www.stephworld.net
"Those who can make you believ
Valerie
I know we are all different but Be careful with that lexapro. I was on that last fall and it made me so manic it was unreal. That's when we knew something wasn't quite right. I was on 20mg daily and I was constantly go go go go go during the day and at night I'd turn into not a nice person and then I'd crash. It was a horrible time for me so I stay away from the SSRI. I just wanted to warn you just in case you notice you are a little more manic than normal. I hope it works for you. In the beginning it was great and I loved it so I would recommend it to others if they wanted an opinion but us bp people need to be more careful.
Have a Great Holiday Weekend.
Hugs & Prayers,
Danielle
Hysterectomy & Alternatives
Host of Tuesday Night Anxiety, Panic & Phobia's Chat 7 - 9 pm MST
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Hugs & Positive Thoughts Always,
Traci wrote >>>i am a firm believe that the bp and creativity are definitely linked within and the creativity remains there, we just have to find new ways of tapping into it when on meds.
I totally agree with that. And Marci made some EXCELLENT points there!
Yes, we all agree there is a connection with creativity and bp. Just look at all the bp comedians, writers, actors, painters, etc! (I could list some if you want haha)
Kay Jamison wrote a book about this, which I haven't read. I've only read An Unquiet Mind.
I also just found another one that I hadn't even heard of: Caressing Madness--The Artistic, Bipolar Life: Creativity and Moods
by Brandi Kay Hunting (Author)
and another (sheesh! still haven't got the name of Kay's book)Manic Depression and Creativity
by D. Jablow Hershman (Author), Julian Lieb (Author)
Also, if you have seen the movie, there is also the book: A Beautiful Mind: The Life of Mathematical Genius and Nobel Laureate John Nash
by Sylvia Nasar (Author)
Kay's is: Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament by Kay R. Jameson (Author)
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