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Re: artists and depression (long...ramble)

Posted by dove on January 27, 2000, at 12:26:30

In reply to Re: artists and depression (discussion fodder), posted by Brandon on January 27, 2000, at 11:07:00

I believe some of the mood disorders prevalent in the 'artistic temperment' (generalization) have to do with a number of traits and/or behavioral tendencies, such as: oversensitivity, immature central nervous systems, mania-induced grandeur, depression-induced detachment (indifference). The public and private failures of creative folks seems to invigorate instability, as it does for noncreative folks, one just doesn't hear about them as often as those "special" people who dwell in the limelight.

From personal experience, I have found distinct traits in my creative relatives, neurotic-obsessive-compulsive behavior, sadness (actually depression) over real or perceived failures, the grandeur with real or perceived success, the super-sensitivity over perceived criticism, all these almost child-like qualities surround the creatives of my family tree. Lightning quick tempers and big mouths that never think before they speak. We, me and my creative relatives, dance in the limelight, the life of the party, all eyes on us, Please. But, we're moody, nasty-tempered, hot-cold, introverts. How we avoid social gatherings like the plague and then suddenly show-up and entertain the crowd with our superb wit and humor (gag!)

So, what I see of the link between creativity and mood disorders is the same link I see in so-called noncreative people, I just think they have better reserves for dealing with it. The disordered coverage is so much greater in the creatives, they let everyone see their zaniness, their moods. My relatives who don't have the giftings, as they call it, have so much more self-control, so much more self-knowledge, and much stronger ability to let the bad stuff bounce off them. If they think they're starting to act like Great Grandma, they get to the doctor, they seek help, they don't announce it on a bull horn with asinine behavior like some of us :-)

It's like the crossed wires of the brain affect many people from all categories, but the creatives can't help themselves in any constructive way. I am sure many people from all walks of life struggle with depression, but are able to deal with it constructively, or are able to respond in such a manner that we don't categorize it as depression, or bipolar. Thus, we don't hear about them, nor do we see the fall-out

Really rambling today,
dove.


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