[qwerty_kid]

The accepted consensus is that antidepressants can adversely affect creativity by dulling the brain. Depression and mental illness has been shown to be directly linked to creativity, although mental illness is not necessarily a prerequisite for creative thinking. People like Mark Twain and Van Gogh have shown signs of depression, and numerous others can be included as well.

I've been in the arts for a few years now and have always been on antidepressants. So far, I've actually not had any long term mental blanks (sometimes I have them intermittently, but never over a long time span). The way I see it, my antidepressants have actually helped maintain my creativity. Of course my own story is no indication that there is a positive correlation between drugs and creativity, but my depression can seem to ruin my motivation to think on an artistic level. And I certainly wouldn't want to wean myself off meds and potentially risk worsening my depression.

I'm just curious what people think about this, and how antidepressants have affected your own art. What do you think?

[gayleggg]

My antidepressants have helped me too, because depression sucks the creativity right out of me. If the antidepressant is working then I'm more creative.

[foxwillow]

Originally Posted by gayleggg

My antidepressants have helped me too, because depression sucks the creativity right out of me. If the antidepressant is working then I'm more creative.

I have found that I am more creative, but much less productive. Of course I am on enough meds to choke a horse...

Patti

When I was a teenager and on SSRI's it certainly did dull my creativity in every aspect, but that was just my experience and I know it affects everyone differently.

[bigblackdog]

Yup.

Meds=no creativity

Ironically, the creative zone is a time when I don't have depression, but I work full time and can't spend enough time there.

[Lady Courtesan]

Hi Gay-missed you, girl.

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones, then. Meds have helped me find the focus I need to do my work. Even though they misdiagnosed me for fourteen years, whatever I was taking at the time helped.

It's like that part of my brain is protected. It allows the unimportant things to slip away, and my stories and imagination remain pristine. I seldom remember what day it is and I've woken many times when it was dark and not known if it was morning or evening. And as soon as the shrink's door closes behind me, I release everything she said, saving space for the important things. Like my new book. And watching 'Face Off'.

Even when they changed my diagnosis and changed most of my meds, nothing about my art changed. I can't remember people's names sometimes, even the ones I love. Or my phone number. Or my cat's name. But ask me anything about any of my novels and I am on point and crystal clear.

I don't have a concrete answer for you, qwerty_kid. Maybe it just takes years of practice and (not giving medical advice, just speaking for myself here) I only take 2/3rds of what they prescribe. Otherwise I'd be a freaking zombie. I don't believe in writer's block, or whatever your art is. You either want to do it, or you don't. And when you want to do it badly enough, you will. I'm just not as happy, or as complete when I'm not working. And it makes my fingers itch. Honest.