depression/writing exercise

[mangst]

My depression has severely curtailed my ability to write. Specifically my inspiration/creative spark is gone or at least very muted. So on the advice of my mother I am going to start to journal about my day. See if that kick starts my brain. Tonight I am watching a documentary on-line called Beautiful Minds: The Psychology of the Savant. It's

Comments

[kitmerlot1213]

My friend, I am very sorry to hear about your struggles and I hope keeping a journal will help you.

Also, if you don't mind my asking, are you seeing any sort of a counsellor or psychologist? That might help as well.

Lastly, please call me if you need to--I can pm you my phone# if you've misplaced it.

*HUGS*

[mangst]

I am seeing both a therapist and a psychiatrist. The meds are taking the edge off but not eliminating the symptoms altogether. We've come to the conclusion that I go through cycles of depression and that I'm going to need treatment on and off for the rest of my life . I also have an anxiety disorder and ADD so my brain is kind of f@cked up. ;p We are also reorganizing my life as part of my treatment. I'll be changing jobs soon b/c the 1 I have is too stressful. I'm also going to move asap. My current bedroom is in a finished basement with no windows. My therapist says that is the worst possible environment for me. So I'm taking steps to get better, no worries. :)

[rusty_armour]

I'm sorry your depression has interfered with your ability to write -- not that I'm surprised. It's really hard to feel inspired when you're not feeling like yourself. I hope keeping a daily journal will help. Do you think specific prompts might help as well? I'm not sure if you're trying to write original fiction or fanfic, but I know that a number of fandoms do have prompts and challenges for writers.

I've been wanting to see that Stephen Fry film, so I'll be sure to check it out now that I know where to find it.

[mangst]

Prompts won't help at this point but thanks. :) I'm wanting to write original works at the moment. I'll get there. I guess I felt that I needed to acknowledge the problem before I could work through it. The Stephen Fry film is excellent. :)

[heffermonkey]

sorry to hear that you're going through a bad time. But great idea about keeping a journal, it may help you break through the low you're currently in and spur on your writing juices. Depression is a very difficult thing to live with - my dad is Bi polar and currently going through a small 'high' - so we're all sort of rallying round and being quietly protective. I remember vaguely the Stephen Fry docu - more documentaries of the illness ought to be made as well as more information for people. As you say, people have certain views when you mention depression/manic depression/ bi polar because of basic ignorance. Until my dad was diagnosed, I was ignorant myself to the huge affects of the illness, to the person it's happening to and the people around them. Now I can look back and see the signs before he had his biggest 'high' a few years ago that threw our family into a hugely chaotic and emotional situation. But at the time, I wondered what the hell was happening to my dad. Now, tooled with knowledge, we can help immediately,

[mangst]

Thank you. I wish you, your dad and your family strength, patience and love. :)