Depression and Creative Writing: A Series

There has always been a curiosity in creativity's role with psychiatric disorders: whether there are associations or visa versa- if creative expression can alleviate symptoms and allow the person to function in his/her life.

I personally have had a spectrum of struggles, and drawing/writing is a vital cornerstone in keeping me healthy. And the key word is spectrum: there's hardly a fine line with psychological disorders and the cocktail to remedy it. My first point to make in this series is to de-stigmatize psychiatric disorders ranging from depression, anxiety, OCD, bi-polar, schizophrenia, and ADHD. The second is to show how writing can be a great coping mechanism.

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"Some of your best writing comes from when you are depressed"

​-Dr. John Moore

Today I focus on MDD: major depressive disorder. Aka. depression. We all love statistics: it affects approximately 16.1 million American adults (3.3 million American adults with "PDD"/Persistent depressive disorder). However, I believe the real number is higher because many go undiagnosed. Treatment guidelines are individualized, but therapy is generally recommended first (whether it's speaking with a counselor, psychologist, CBT) then pharmacotherapy or alternative therapy [1]. As a pharmacist, I'm well aware of the hundreds of pharmaceuticals for treating depression, but many people are misled that it's a "miracle pill". Poof! No longer sad! More energy! An article "Depression: How effective are antidepressants?" found  antidepressants improved symptoms in about 20 more people out of 100 over placebo. Verdict?: not bad, not perfect either [2] . But that's enough on that. I'm here to  discuss the role of creative expression, primarily in writing.
*Disclaimer* This article is NOT meant to diagnose or treat depression or any other medical condition. If you feel you need help, please contact your provider, or 911 if you are having thoughts of suicide. This article is for discussion purposes only**

Those with depression, or simply having one depressive episode, can reap benefits from writing. This comes in many forms: keeping a journal or creating a story from scratch. Writing allows people to escape the confines of their mind and focus on something else or communicate their feelings on paper when they cannot be verbalized [3].

Writing can empower the individual and give him/her a sense of order. To someone with depression, everything is out of his/her control [3]. People with depression can feel hopeless and useless, but when they write: they can write whatever they want. It gives the chance for the brain to re-organize its thoughts on the person's own terms. This feeling of control can bring about a sense of stabilization. When one begins to write, there is great potential to unlocking the chest of pent up thoughts and emotions, and it can be quite cathartic. Feelings comes to life. The art of writing is very personal- it can be burned without being seen by anyone else or be published so it can help others that are suffering.

But alas, there is one symptom of depression that some (not all) have that can pose a major road block to seeking any form of help: lack of motivation. I recall many days lying in bed or sitting down, knowing that going on a run or writing my book would boost my mood, but I just wasn't willing to move. The desire had been extinguished. While there's no solution, don't give up. Do something else that you can manage. Watch something inspiring or funny. My go-to was "The Office". It made me laugh and want to write my funny work experiences, and off I went. I also would bargain with myself: walk to the mailbox just for the fresh air. Once I inhaled the scent of pine in the crisp breeze, my body didn't mind taking a little walk.

Writing can be a tiny piece in the puzzle for people living with depression. It's a worthy tool worth trying. There's no commitment; you can start and stop any time you want. If you want to write out a memory or fly into space, it's your call. Something to think about.

I know that I use multiple tactics to battle my depression. I run. I listen to music. I watch "The Office". I draw.... And I write. I write like crazy. Multiple people told me that writing won't help me get over heart break, that it won't "solve my problems" and to face reality. I never said it would cure me. It was one of many coping mechanisms, and yes, it DID get me through heart breaks and other deeper cuts...

Feel free to share your thoughts or experiences about writing to get you through a bad moment. If interested, I may continue this series with anxiety, OCD, and ADHD. Any suggestions, let me know.

Also, here are some resources for depression:
https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/ask-and-learn/resources#
https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/major-depression/creative-therapies/
https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/resources/

*Peace*
JE

[1] https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics#
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0087089/
[3] https://www.mychicagotherapist.com/5-ways-creative-writing-helps-with-depression/