[twizzlerheaded]

I wasn't sure where to post this or if it was already covered in another post so I'll apologize in advance.

To keep it short, my severe depression commenced about a year ago to date eventually hospitalizing me for a short time. For whatever reason I began writing, something I've never done before. In a few months I ended up with 150 pages in word full of short stories, poems, lyrics etc. Everything I wrote was unique and meaningful. I've never even read poetry or short stories or anything but it kept pouring out of me. As an average guy, I was thrilled but puzzled over how/why it was happening.

Anyway, as my depression lifted, I found it very difficult to continue writing altogether. The passion I felt was gone and I no longer enjoyed my new hobby. In a twisted way, even though I was catatonic and extremely depressed , I miss that drive more than anything.

I was just wondering if there is any connection between depression or mental illness in general and creativity.

Thank You

[jelly-bean]

In my case, when I am looking for something to take my mind off of the depression or the anxiety or whatever else, that's when I become the most creative. I have done all sorts of great things to get away from the depression!

[Rose76]

Originally Posted by twizzlerheaded

I was just wondering if there is any connection between depression or mental illness in general and creativity

There has been a lot of speculation on that. Books have been written on it. I've thought about it myself.

I think creativity tends to come out of a mind that looks at things differently from how most minds are looking at things. Being different can make a person feel out of sync with those around one. So I can see where both creativity and difficulty adjusting to one's environs have a common root. Some people are just different.

[Anxious Minds]

I think that the depression drives you to start doing creative things, and as you are doing them, you gain a momentum in doing them.

I used to think that I'd need my depression in order to write, and I'm finding that I can get to the same creativity without it. The hard part is getting started...finding a reason to be creative when you have so many other things on your plate.

In other words, no, I don't think depression is linked to being super creative. I just think it's more of a catalyst.

[twizzlerheaded]

Thanks for the responses guys, I appreciate it. At first, I was embarrassed to admit I wrote poetry. Not to offend anyone, but I so naively thought it was a sissy thing to do. Looking back, I think the writing was the only thing that kept me going through my troubles. I don't know where I would be without it.

[Altered Moment]

I think there is a connection. I never get more creative when depressed but I most certainly did in a full blown manic episode before. Full poems just popped into my head and I wrote them down. I always hated poetry and never wrote a word of it. All of a sudden very good full poems were just popping into my head. Some of America's greatest writers were depressive alcoholics.