Depression and the Writer's Life
Okay, so I'm going to try and write some posts on "the writer's life" - today, I'm going to be starting with depression. Because, I have a mild form of it. All the things I go through fit. I've even popped a second St. John's Wort as I've written the beginning sentences to this post.
First I want to say that I don't think a writer has to live with depression. I don't think it gives the writing a deeper feel of angst or what have you - sometimes I think it really hurts the writing. For months I haven't even done any writing to speak of. So far, Dogpatch has seen the most work, but that's because I'm feeling better. I don't feel like being lazy when it comes to writing. For, as they say when it comes to depression, the thing you love to do the most gets pushed to the side.
It's funny, I've lived with this mild form of depression (I'm not diagnosed by a Doctor, I've come to this conclusion myself) for a number of years, it's only been since last month that I've started taking SJW. It works for me. Sometimes the depression is too strong for one pill and I'll take a second, but I never go over the suggested third. I do go a day or two inbetween, and I can feel it coming on. I get irritable and I'm just a nasty person all together. Then, when I take it, I feel better - I'm far nicer to live with. Yeah, I don't think it's a bad thing. Can I develope a dependenca on it...? I don't know, but from what I've looked up in the herb, nothing say's you can. I've even knowingly not taken it for a day just to see. When I decide to take it, I do because I want to, not because I need to.
With drug addicts, they do it because it's a need. They can't deny it and if they do they go through some really bad side affects from their perfered drug. Me, I take it because I want to - I want to feel better. But it doesn't take over my thoughts when I don't. If that makes any sense. I don't know. *shrugs*
I also find that when I feel good, I feel like writing. I want to write. I want to see these characters in action as much as possible. I also think it reads better. I actually kinda care about editing and stuff. Weird as that may seem. So. In my writing life, I think SJW is a clear indicator of help. I don't have to live with depression, because, when I feel good, my writing doesn't suffer.
I hope this post made sense. I think I'll write more about it in the future. Basicaly, I just want to get it out there that we writer's shouldn't have to live with those pre-concieve notions. The ones that say we commit the most suicides, or that we'll live with depression instead of getting help - professional or otherwise - or that we'll go crazy and kill people who've betrayed us by hitting them in the head with a shovel (Secret Window Reference!). I have never believed that. Sure, maybe it has happened, but I know I could never do any of that stuff. I'm too aware of my crazyness.
I think that what we do is up to us. From one writer to another - go ahead and try a herbal supplement. If it doesn't work, that's okay. Some people may need to get a perscription from a doctor. There is no shame in it. I think that's the thing that over shadow's things like Depression. We feel ashamed because sometimes people make it out to be a very shameful thing. Well, I'm here to tell you - if you suffer or have suffered like me - it's nothing to be ashamed of. It's okay to get help. It makes you couragous!
First I want to say that I don't think a writer has to live with depression. I don't think it gives the writing a deeper feel of angst or what have you - sometimes I think it really hurts the writing. For months I haven't even done any writing to speak of. So far, Dogpatch has seen the most work, but that's because I'm feeling better. I don't feel like being lazy when it comes to writing. For, as they say when it comes to depression, the thing you love to do the most gets pushed to the side.
It's funny, I've lived with this mild form of depression (I'm not diagnosed by a Doctor, I've come to this conclusion myself) for a number of years, it's only been since last month that I've started taking SJW. It works for me. Sometimes the depression is too strong for one pill and I'll take a second, but I never go over the suggested third. I do go a day or two inbetween, and I can feel it coming on. I get irritable and I'm just a nasty person all together. Then, when I take it, I feel better - I'm far nicer to live with. Yeah, I don't think it's a bad thing. Can I develope a dependenca on it...? I don't know, but from what I've looked up in the herb, nothing say's you can. I've even knowingly not taken it for a day just to see. When I decide to take it, I do because I want to, not because I need to.
With drug addicts, they do it because it's a need. They can't deny it and if they do they go through some really bad side affects from their perfered drug. Me, I take it because I want to - I want to feel better. But it doesn't take over my thoughts when I don't. If that makes any sense. I don't know. *shrugs*
I also find that when I feel good, I feel like writing. I want to write. I want to see these characters in action as much as possible. I also think it reads better. I actually kinda care about editing and stuff. Weird as that may seem. So. In my writing life, I think SJW is a clear indicator of help. I don't have to live with depression, because, when I feel good, my writing doesn't suffer.
I hope this post made sense. I think I'll write more about it in the future. Basicaly, I just want to get it out there that we writer's shouldn't have to live with those pre-concieve notions. The ones that say we commit the most suicides, or that we'll live with depression instead of getting help - professional or otherwise - or that we'll go crazy and kill people who've betrayed us by hitting them in the head with a shovel (Secret Window Reference!). I have never believed that. Sure, maybe it has happened, but I know I could never do any of that stuff. I'm too aware of my crazyness.
I think that what we do is up to us. From one writer to another - go ahead and try a herbal supplement. If it doesn't work, that's okay. Some people may need to get a perscription from a doctor. There is no shame in it. I think that's the thing that over shadow's things like Depression. We feel ashamed because sometimes people make it out to be a very shameful thing. Well, I'm here to tell you - if you suffer or have suffered like me - it's nothing to be ashamed of. It's okay to get help. It makes you couragous!