Posted by Jennifer N. on July 17, 2003, at 13:57:02
In reply to Re: Gosford Park, Li and creativity » fluffy, posted by Barbara Cat on July 17, 2003, at 13:26:15
Hi Fluffy & Barbara
I've been reading your postings about Bipolar and artists, creativity, etc. I wrote the best poem I have ever written yesterday while in a manic phase. What was so interesting, is that I was listening, attentively, to a conference call at work...a three and a half hour conference call that we call "Accountability". (Holding others accountable for their actions, personal issues that hinder our work, etc.) My mind was split in two: one side listening to this meeting, being involved and listening to everything they said, and the other half was writing this amazing peice of work! It just flowed out of me. This was the first time I have ever experienced anything like this! It was cool, but also a little scary.
I also am a painter, but more so I'm a singer/musician. I have been involved in music my whole life. I am excited about what my mania will do for me in the creative world of music...but that sounds pretty sick, huh? The rest of the mania SUCKS! The insomnia, the not eating, the excessive spending, etc.
Am I wrong to think this? I like being able to produce wonderful work that I am finally happy with!
-Jennifer N.
> Hi Fluffy,
> Does your name have to do with your bubbly butt? (That might sound really weird to someone just getting into this thread!) Glad you can approach your art so centeredly. Do you make your living doing this? If so, good for you!
>
> I felt similarly to K.R. Jamison's description of the 'tortured artist'. I think she was in a full throttle manic swing when she wrote it, or had leaning towards OCD. All those charts and graphs! plus she was in clinical practice full time. It is interesting how so many passionate artist-types are categorized as bipolar. Maybe it had something to do with too much lead in the cookware and pipes back then. Beethoven's hair was analyzed not too long ago and it showed sky high lead levels. He was majorly depressed but obviously had moments of grandeur. But who wouldn't be depressed back then with the cold, heat, grime, rotten teeth and no baths! Yecch.
>
> Lithium doesn't damp out the fire at all for me. I've heard that it can do that, i.e., Jamison was taking alot of lithium and said that she eventually compromised with less lithium, less stability, but more creativity. I'm only taking 600mg/day which is below the therapeutic window so maybe more would affect me more adversely.
> Without it I get frizzled and disordered so whatever it does, it does me good. I considered that I had ADD but stimulants made me feel even more fried.
>
> Lithium supposedly makes new neurons and is protective - brain healthy. That may be so, however, it's made my hypothyroid condition worse and I pee alot more. I have to exercise alot just to stay plump. Hopefully jettisoning the nortriptyline will help in that regard. - Barbara
poster:Jennifer N.
thread:9730
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030714/msgs/242893.html