[Brontoset]

Hey all,

I'm having a lot of trouble with my meds....because I'm a creative person, and I'm feeling really dead on meds.

I used to go off my meds totally just so I could listen to an Oscar Peterson record.

I just feel such magic when not on meds....

[High Etiquette]

You may just have to find a new hobby... For example, if you used to read books and can't focus now, then try drawing pictures on paper or computer. I struggle with my creativity as well. I've learned to manage it though. I'm not going to be 100% all the time or even sometimes but if you can try to pick up a good hobby that works for you then you will be happy.

I enjoy creating 3D models on the computer now. It's more of a visual thing

Originally Posted by Brontoset

Hey all,

I'm having a lot of trouble with my meds....because I'm a creative person, and I'm feeling really dead on meds.

I used to go off my meds totally just so I could listen to an Oscar Peterson record.

I just feel such magic when not on meds....

[Brontoset]

Originally Posted by High Etiquette

You may just have to find a new hobby... For example, if you used to read books and can't focus now, then try drawing pictures on paper or computer. I struggle with my creativity as well. I've learned to manage it though. I'm not going to be 100% all the time or even sometimes but if you can try to pick up a good hobby that works for you then you will be happy.

I enjoy creating 3D models on the computer now. It's more of a visual thing

I understand what you're saying, but This morning I had some MAGICAL experiences listening to Stan Getz......Jazz is magic and I want it to always be a part of my life in some way.....

[Sometimes psychotic]

Personally I say stay off meds if you can or at least be on the lowest dose possible because at least the APs I'm on totally shut creativity down. Why not try therapy instead?

[emgreen]

Originally Posted by Brontoset

I used to go off my meds totally just so I could listen to an Oscar Peterson record.

I'd prescribe a heavy dose of Thelonious Monk. That'll cure you.

[Webgoji]

Oh wow, this is was on an article I read. Often, the medication needed to fight mental illness dulls the creative side of people. Personally, when I was on things like Celexa and Wellbutrin, I couldn't write anything ... as you said, I was dead. I couldn't focus on anything long enough to write.

My doctor put me on Venlafaxine and that helped tremendously. The side effects are a bit more than I like (miss taking it one day ... get all strokey), but I can at least write now.

My suggestion would be, like trying to find a med that works, tell your psychiatrist how it is making you numb and unable to create and you should be able to fish around for a medicine that doesn't crush your creativity.

[Brontoset]

Originally Posted by emgreen

I'd prescribe a heavy dose of Thelonious Monk. That'll cure you.

I haven't gotten into monk yet. You ever check out the bass player Ray Brown? He moves me....

[sewerrats]

Most creative people are nuts, take a look back at all the genius they were all mad. Take meds and you kill your creative side , but your brain gets some peace not like the genius people who always end up dead from drugs or some self inflicted injury

[emgreen]

Originally Posted by Brontoset

I haven't gotten into monk yet. You ever check out the bass player Ray Brown? He moves me....

I just checked him out on YouTube...Good call!

[IndieVisible]

Originally Posted by Brontoset

Hey all,

I'm having a lot of trouble with my meds....because I'm a creative person, and I'm feeling really dead on meds.

I used to go off my meds totally just so I could listen to an Oscar Peterson record.

I just feel such magic when not on meds....

I stay off them as long as I can then use them as needed, BUT I refuse to accept any meds that make me feel like a zombie or slow me down in any way. I always have to be 100% in control and fully functional. Once in a while I get "oh you need to give up a little to get better" I agree, but I'm not willing to give up my functionality. I challenge to doc to take the same meds with me for a couple of months and let me know if he still thinks he's fully functional. You have to be firm and clear what your expectations and boundaries are from the start. We either respect each other or I find another doc but I will not be a zombie.

[venusss]

Originally Posted by IndieVisible

I stay off them as long as I can then use them as needed, BUT I refuse to accept any meds that make me feel like a zombie or slow me down in any way. I always have to be 100% in control and fully functional. Once in a while I get "oh you need to give up a little to get better" I agree, but I'm not willing to give up my functionality. I challenge to doc to take the same meds with me for a couple of months and let me know if he still thinks he's fully functional. You have to be firm and clear what your expectations and boundaries are from the start. We either respect each other or I find another doc but I will not be a zombie.

Indeed. Treatment is supposed to TREAT you, make you better, not hinder you. If your doctor doesn't respect this, time to find somebody else. Don't let them convince you being stupid, uncreative zombie is normal state (as I posted in bipolar forum... if you are daring enough you can tell them "maybe it's normal for you to be stupid, but it's not normal for me").

Your thought process is who you are... and in a way it's something that can help you to get better. If you shut down this part of your brain... you may achieve apathy at the best. Not happiness.

[anneo59]

very relatable thread, for me. Enjoyed everyone's comments. It's a difficult issue, for sure! The best, all!

[catsrhelm]

Sounds like you may be on the wrong medication. I take three different medications, and I still manage to do entries in my mood journal.