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Creativity, Artists and Depression

Tasra Dawson —  February 4, 2012 — 7 Comments

We’ve heard of so many great artists ending their lives early… either with conscious intention or unconscious recklessness. Depression can seem synonymous with artists.

Is depression inevitable for artists and creatives?

Arnold Ludwig, a professor and researcher at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, wanted to answer that question. So he performed a study of 1004 men and women over the span of ten years. His test group was a variety of accomplished people in art, music, science, business, politics, and sports.

The Research Proves…

  • 59-77% of creatives (artists, writers, musicians, etc.) suffered mental illness especially “mood disorders”
  • 18-29% percent of less “artistic professionals” suffered from the same mental illness or mood disorders

Other studies have demonstrated increased rates of depression in creatives as well.

Two Key Points…

  1. If you suffer from depression, even a mild form, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
  2. THERE IS NO SHAME in getting help and support even for “mood disorders” or depression you can’t seem to shake.
There is already a wealth of information about depression, how to identify it and where to get help, so I won’t repeat that information here…. other than to say DON’T IGNORE IT.
If you need more reason to not ignore it in yourself or someone you love, watch this 12 minute video about depression, suicide and survival. Do it now. It could save a life.


Take the time to watch this video. You may not suffer from depression or suicidal tendencies, but you may know and love someone who has, is or will. Increase your awareness.

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Unlock Your Big Idea with a Small Shift

Tasra Dawson —  November 9, 2011 — Leave a comment

We’re creatives here, right? Passionate, committed, inspired artists.

We’re also busy, sometimes (often) overwhelmed spouses, friends, parents, siblings, bosses, employees… the list goes on.

So how do we walk the tightrope between the often dramatically opposing roles we play in life.

How do we stop “playing” a role instead of really living a life?

Those are the questions at the forefront of my mind today.

Here’s what I think…

Don’t learn the hard way. The hard way is how I learned. Nearly 8 years ago I took medical leave from my job teaching out of sheer exhaustion… physical and emotional depletion that robbed me of the very essence of who I was and what I believed to be true. I began the journey then of discovering the high value of connection and creativity.

Connection and creativity are two sides of a coin you cannot separate.

You need your relationships and connections as much as you need your creative outlets and artistic dreams.

Your big idea. My big idea. I believe they are right there waiting to be discovered, uncovered, unveiled, and revealed. It takes only a small shift to unlock millions of dormant ideas.

THREE TIPS TO UNLOCKING IDEAS

  1. Go to bed. Your body and mind need the restoration that comes from deep sleep. Get some and watch your mind unlock for you.
  2. Get a drink. No, I’m not talking about gin and tonic. Water. Pure water. Your body needs it. Your creativity craves it. There’s a whole book that backs me up!
  3. Change the story. The story you tell yourself about your success or failure… change that. Write a new one, literally… write it down and read it every morning.
Simple. You can do this. Try it and see what shifts for you.
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