[Jennyanydots]

I was diagnosed with bipolar/schizoaffective disorder shortly after turning 30. I've been having a very hard time coping with the illness and have had two manic/episodes of psychosis within the last three years and have been pretty much depressed the rest of the time. I feel run down, and have lost all interest in everyday activities (working out, reading, dealing with people! and even listening to music), and have absolutely no creative energy (writing, painting, drawing). I'm currently not taking any psych meds at the moment due to changing insurance/Dr's. I know that those meds can make you sluggish/tired/slow. Has anybody also felt that this illness has affected their ability to be creative (when depressed)? If so, do you have any advice?

Hi I have no advice as I'm trying to figure my deal out, but I'm a creative type whose ability to work comes completely crashing when depressed.

On the flip side, I'm classic BP as when in a mania, I can create amazing work that receives great reception, but is rare I finish my work as I flip quite often...

[Little Lulu]

I've been there. Generally I go ahead and do the thing I don't feel like doing and release any expectations that doing the project will feel joyful or that it will turn out well. It isn't easy to do but it keeps some momentum up and at least I don't feel so bummed that I am not doing what I typically brings me pleasure. Hugs.

[gayleggg]

I have the same problem. No interest in any of my former creative interests. I've given up quilting, drawing, crocheting all due to depression. I have no desire to do any of it. I have no answers and I'm on meds. They just haven't helped my depresssion.

[PrairieCat]

Just an idea I had.... How about trying to paint or somehow create something that expresses your feelings? One feeling at a time. I've done this and it helps. I'm wanting to get started on art again, but house is such a mess I have to clean to make space to do this! I did some feelings online using Word 2013, believe it or not. One page for each feeling, using color and symbols, shading and the one word for the feeling - done in a font that appealed to me and seemed to fit the feeling. Weird and not my usual thing, but it did work.

[punkybrewster6k]

Originally Posted by Jennyanydots

I was diagnosed with bipolar/schizoaffective disorder shortly after turning 30. I've been having a very hard time coping with the illness and have had two manic/episodes of psychosis within the last three years and have been pretty much depressed the rest of the time. I feel run down, and have lost all interest in everyday activities (working out, reading, dealing with people! and even listening to music), and have absolutely no creative energy (writing, painting, drawing). I'm currently not taking any psych meds at the moment due to changing insurance/Dr's. I know that those meds can make you sluggish/tired/slow. Has anybody also felt that this illness has affected their ability to be creative (when depressed)? If so, do you have any advice?

UGG...I understand completely. I am terrified to take anyeds lest I loose my ability and creativity. My art os my life, my outlet, my passion but especally my income!
When manic , I create using one medium, when depressed, I create.with another. Look at the artists, poets, writers, inventors with mental illness who have given us so many gifts over the centuries.

Soooo...with that said, I dont know what advice to give you. When the time comes try starting at a low dose of whatever med u are prescribed? See how it goes. You may have to try different ones to try and find one without the creative-robbing side effects. Winter is tough emotionally for even those without mental illness. Keep that in mind too.

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[Jennyanydots]

Originally Posted by PrairieCat

Just an idea I had.... How about trying to paint or somehow create something that expresses your feelings? One feeling at a time. I've done this and it helps. I'm wanting to get started on art again, but house is such a mess I have to clean to make space to do this! I did some feelings online using Word 2013, believe it or not. One page for each feeling, using color and symbols, shading and the one word for the feeling - done in a font that appealed to me and seemed to fit the feeling. Weird and not my usual thing, but it did work.

I like that idea...maybe start with quick sketches/exercises of my feelings/current emotion and see what blossoms. And not putting a lot of pressure on myself to create polished pieces. The hard part is that when I'm feeling low, agitated, depressed (usually on the verge of tears), I'll turn on music like Portishead, Jeff Buckley, Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse, etc. and really dark, mostly abstract sketches/paintings start developing and then I started feeling more depressed! Sigh. So I guess try creating when I'm feeling closer to "normal mood" -whatever that means.

[Roblovescats]

I haven't painted in almost a year. Last one I did was a portrait for someone who gave it to her sister as a gift. I had a time crunch to finish which was good for me. I have about 15 unfinished paintings hanging about haunting me with all the ideas I have for finishing them. I have no energy for it. Bipolar I and constantly flipping from depression to mixed mania. Meds.... Lithium mellows me out and helps stop mania but then I'm very blah. Zyprexa knocks me out and all I want to do is sleep not to mention made me gain thirty pounds. For depression I haven't found anything. Taking fluoxetine Prozac and I guess it's somewhat helpful. But still very depressed most of the time. I wanted to find out more about latuda I think is the name??? Meant for depression in those with bipolar ... Gonna ask my Dr.

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Yes, the last couple months have been awful. I don't think I am bipolar but I saw the subject and decided to reply anyway. I deal primarily with depression. Last 2 years I got much more active artistically to the point where I can feel like submitting art. The last 2-3 months I have been fairly inactive though. I know why. I burnt out in my career. My job stunk. My cat got sick and eventually passed. I am concerned about physical effects of the drugs. All those things.

The one thing I have learned is to take the path of least resistance when I am feeling this way. That means do >something<. It can be very small. I have a round robin of crafts that go in the drawer next to my bed. I have a journal and pens, watercolor pencils. Since it is winter I have been knitting. I am also an avid iphone photographer. If I am out and about I will often make a point of taking 5-10 minutes of photos. Not the snapshot kind... The kind you think about. If I do these things I keep my ideas close even if I am not able to execute them right now. It doesn't have to be anything thought provoking. Knitting certainly isn't but I do love the socks I made . I did get up to my computer to work on pictures yesterday and today. I am hoping to get some encaustic done tomorrow.

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[Roblovescats]

I love fluffy warm socks! I have lots of cats maybe I should learn to knit!!!

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