Creativity while depressed

Soooo I spent the whole day in bed bemoaning to my inability to finish things on time, angsting over my completely utter worthlessness and lack of future (aka how I will never amount to anything), and hiding under the covers because that obviously fixes the problem.

Which means for me since I'm not doing anything I'm supposed to I might as well write tragic poetry about depression--it's posted in the Creative Corner's part of this forum if you feel like reading it (please do ). And then I kind of noticed an interesting trend. When I first started really being depressed I have similes and metaphors falling like a waterfall from my lips of what it's like to be stuck in a brain that hates you. But now, a year later, I find words have become increasingly hard to come by and my abilities to write how I feel have diminished incredibly quickly.

Has anyone else noticed that depression eats creativity on top of all things or is it just me?

Its not just you. I've never been a big journal keeper, but have some notebooks that I have written in when I've been in the darkest parts of my mind. They are stream of consciousness, but full of ideas, sketches etc. Many of them I don't remember even doing.

When the mind is in pain, it has to release it somewhere. Why creativity peaks at those times I can't answer. Writers, musicians and artists all have their share of people whose best works were done during times of depression and despair.

I'll have to look up your writing.

sam2

For me I have no creativity when depressed simply because I have no interest and no energy or motivation.
Once I had a full blown manic episode brought on by meth withdrawal which is a whole other story. But when I was in this state I was highly creative. Whole poems would just pop in my head all at once. Many people who are bi-polar say they are much more creative when manic.

Not sure if my creativity is just limited to bouts of depression (mine fluctuates in levels), but it's both a welcome release and escape... there are times in the day that I have slotted for free thought, day dreaming or whatever, and it's these time that stimulate writing juices for when I get chance to type.

Well, I wonder if I ever was a person with creativity. I have imagination, but creativity?
Had it been in me anytime?
But, as you make this topic about poetry... I know my went away for a while. Now I just prefer, when I'm in the mood, to wright sentimental texts. There was once in my life, when I had some skills, I thought so. Now I can't even find words to rime. I think I have little creativity, but why? I don't know why. ( My sister as such a talent to write and be creative )

Everybody is creative. It just shows up differently.

I've identified a pattern that when I come out of an episode my creative juices are flowing. This happened at least one before. Probably more but I was not aware enough to notice a pattern. I am also much more into thinking creatively. Reading books of all sorts of topics and thinking about them and applying them to my life. When I am depressed I only read easy stuff and that's a challenge. This last episode it was zombies .

There is a neurological connection. Look into Thomas Armstrong for more. Beethoven had a severe depression after his engagement ended. After the depression he wrote his arguably best symphony ever.

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Interesting!! I look forward to writing a masterpiece after this hahah. It's just an odd feeling when I have so many turbulent emotions inside of me and no really good way to get them out on paper.

I know exactly what you mean. "Tip of the tongue" doesn't feel like the right description. Wrapped in plastic wrap and barbed wire seems to explain it better for me.

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