Blogger: Michelle Ule
Location: Books & Such Main Office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Pity F. Scott Fitzgerald, a talented Ivy Leaguer who fell in love with a beautiful Southern belle of exceptional creativity and beauty with a terrific name: Zelda.
Their flamboyant life during the Jazz Age–a term Fitzgerald coined himself–served as backdrop to some of the finest writing done during that period. But the toll of trying to pay the bills and keep up with a wife diagnosed with schizophrenia drove Fitzgerald to the brink of emotional breakdown himself.
Depression, in particular, seems to be a frequent problem for writers. Someone told me once “depression is anger turned inwards,” and with a career based in rejection and on the hope of acceptance, writers would seem particularly vulnerable. Among noted writers who struggled with depression were L. M. Montgomery, Ernest Hemingway, Sylvia Plath and Virginia Woolf.
Some of the problem may stem from the nature of the job–irregular hours, isolation, lack of exposure to sunlight, little money.
How can writers cope with emotional impediments, days in which just turning on the computer seems like too much? Does the creative gift go hand in hand with emotional imbalance?
For many, like me, the act of writing helps pull us out of the “downer” times. Being able to put into words on paper the feelings coursing through me helps. Often I only figure out what I really feel once it’s written down. Indeed, journaling is a common tool psychologists use to help people to process the good and bad experiences in their lives.
Moderation and balance, along with professional help, can help to stabilize those susceptible to depression or other mental illness. Prayer, a healthy spiritual life and the encouragement of others can go a long way, too. What have you seen work in the lives of creative people to keep them balanced and emotionally healthy?
And before you write anything down, think of five things you’re grateful for.
I don’t suffer from depression, but my wife says I’m a carrier.
If you’re going to try to write for a living you need to go into it with your eyes wide open, meaning there are no guarantees. Ever. If you can’t stand risk, if you’re not extremely flexible, if you take yourself (or others) too seriously, if you have no sense of humor (preferably a Cosmic sense of humor), or if you have high expectations for anything that isn’t completely within your control, then trying to treat writing as anything more than a hobby may be a recipe for depression.
But it’s a GREAT hobby.
Wow! Tell me about it.
The danger is not in writing, but from the unrealistic expectations of what will be derived from our work. I believe many great writers encounter depression in their lives when they realize the dream of publication and acclaim can not fill the God-sized longing in their hearts. I feel that all of us need to be wary of making this passion of ours become an idol in our lives.
Michelle,
I hesitated to answer this one, because it hits a bit close to home. Speaking from experience, one of the major contributors to depression is a decreased level of serotonin–the “feel-good” chemical. Stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, and lack of outdoor exercise all act to decrease the amount of serotonin the body has available. The good news is that paying attention to all these factors–especially the last three–can help a great deal, especially for those who are prone to borderline depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder. The body-brain connection is far tighter than most people realize: thus, if you care for your physical health, you improve your emotional health.
Back to writers specifically: I’ve found that practicing some self-awareness is a good idea. If I’ve been pushing my characters through an emotionally devastating scene, and I sense that I’m feeling strained as a result, I’ll back off for a day or two and recuperate. Same if I’ve been pushing hard for two or three days in a row, and my brain is telling me it’s had enough. There’s no sense in whipping yourself to work six days a week and burning out by the time you hit the mid-point of your novel. Better go a little slower and finish the thing.
Also from my experience: for sheer, useful soothing activity, gardening is at the top of the list. 🙂
I am the annoying optimist that finds the good in ever situation, so I was shaken when my doctor diagnosed my symptoms as depression. Fortunately, medication has relieved my sypmtoms. I believe it has made me a better writer because God replaced my desire to fix people with a desire to relate to people. Rather than aiming at self-help, I focus on reliance on God. Depression along with every other trial I’ve gone through has helped form me into the person God can use for His glory, so I’m grateful for it.
I have battled with depression in the past. I’ve been fine for years, but I learned a lot about myself since then.
1-Exercise. Outside if you can. Being surrounded by what God made does wonders for the soul. Gardening is also good. I always feel closer to my Creator when my hands are in soil.
2-Spend time in prayer and in God’s word. We are spiritual beings and unless we feed that part of ourselves, something will get off balance.
3-If you can’t pull out of the depression then please seek professional help. I do believe if you can find a Christian Dr and Counselor you will have a much better recovery. There is nothing wrong with asking for help.
Hope these help a little!
For me, writing relieves daily stress, so part of staying mentally healthy is keeping my commitment to writing. I’ve worked on pieces of fiction and nonfiction through the birth of my grandson, born at 28 weeks, weighing 2 lbs. to my single daughter; through my father’s quadruple bypass and taking care of my mother with Alzheimers; through a serious car accident and broken bones; through marriage break-ups (not mine!); through miscarriages; through weddings and relocations. Of course, God is the real author of inner peace and contentment, but writing is a tool he has given me to help cope.
Thanks for the post, Michelle. Read this after posting the other comment.
After reading the post and the comments, it reminded me that I need to sort the areas of health out: the lack of sleep, poor diet and lack of exercise to name a few. Of course I agree with Melissa about getting out – I’ve not left the house for over a week! I gree with Lucy – balance is best though I’m very guilty of not being very good at that.
What I find relaxing is watching films. I may just watch one after this.