[jamminpianogirl]

I was reading Kalamity Jane's post about coping without meds and I thought of this. I was just started on Lamictal for bipolar II and it hasn't taken any effect yet. I'm a singer/songwriter and have heard that bipolar medications can reduce creativity. I'm paranoid that the medication is going to stop my songwriting flow - and if it does, I'll want to get off the medication, but I also suffer from anxiety and ptsd, and my bipolar has gotten to the point where it effects my functionability in life pretty severely and I'm planning suicide/hurting myself way too much. I know it would be hard to learn to cope without medication, if I could do it at all. But I'm getting off track...

For those of you who are artists, songwriters, creators of whatever, has medication caused a significant decrease in your creative flow or are you still able to continue with your art as you used to?

[SJ_Gooseman]

I had absolutely no such creative abilities UNTIL my last major episode/break. Something changed in my mind and turned it on. The only difference I have seen sing the medication has taken effect is some of the stuff I right is a little less surrealistic than when it first started. I am on Lamictal as well. Some of the stuff I write is so dark is scares me, but that is the way I feel at the time. When I feel well, I right happier stuff. My TDoc is encouraging me to right short stories as well, laughs that I would be a great horror author. All drugs react differently with different people though.

[trippinmickey]

I been on 30 different Meds. not all at once lol .But I was looking for the same thing .Yes some meds. can shut off or reduce creativity and just about everthing else.There were times I had no feelings at all good or bad I would hurt myself alot just so I could feel the pain for it was the only thing I could feel.

It takes work but you can find the meds. that are right for you. Doctors don't know if a meds. is working for you or not only you know that too many people never question their doctors .You have to learn more about your illness and the meds. and the best way ask other bipolars. Find out what works for them and what didn't work but do one better go to a group for mental illness watch people see how they act if someone a zombie (Over medicated) then you may not wont to take his advice the next person may be out going and funny and so on .