Melanie Nilles

I recall a discussion on one of the forums I frequent about so many famous writers having been depressed.  I believe Poe was one of the worst, or perhaps Hemingway.  In any case, the question posed asked if writers had to be depressed to write interesting stories.

I can say for a fact, probably not.  Depression–serious depression–is a chemical imbalance.  It takes different forms for different people.  Sometimes it’s a monster chasing out all happy thoughts, so why even try.  Sometimes it’s a cloud through which you see the world so everything looks dull and lifeless and you feel like an automaton without emotions.  Other times, it’s the worry and fear that everything around you is falling apart.  In another incarnation it can be fatigue and exhaustion.

Worse yet, it can be all those at once.  Some forms of the monster can inspire creativity, but mostly it’s the opposite in true depression.

Yes, I believe a temporary case of the blues can give one a special insight into what it’s like, but you don’t know true depression until you’ve experienced it.

Some of us live with it in varying degrees and without help it can sap your will to write.  It alters your perspective so nothing is satisfying, so why try?  But for a writer not to write can just fuel the depression into a downward spiral.

There is help, but you have to seek it.  The creativity does come back with the right treatment.  And it’s great to feel like yourself again!

So, NO, I don’t believe a depressed person can truly write effectively.  You can’t hold onto a train of thought.  But let in some sunshine and all the colors become vivid again!