Depression is a horrible, nasty, miserable, painful, life-stealing mental illness. More people die from suicide than from auto accidents according to the CDC.

So how can depression be related to creativity? I think that sometimes a side effect of suffering depression is that authors/writers are made so miserable in this world that they strive to communicate their pain, and even create new, better worlds.

Creative people have a high incidence of depression according to a 2010 Health.com article. With 9% reporting an episode of major depression in the previous year.

I have wondered if such creativity is a bit of recompense from God for the endless misery depression has caused us. I will not say it is an even trade, but it is better than nothingness of depression alone.


Depression can force us to live inside of our own heads, we often suffer in solitude. We have lots of time to think, perhaps too much time to think. Our misery forces us to look for something bigger and better, perhaps moves us toward God, for we have many questions for Him, much like Job of the Bible.

And our depression can push us to create, to express, to release our painful experiences and emotions into art, literature, simply creating to escape our misery, perhaps this side effect of depression brings a bit of light out of our dark experiences.

I hope next year to publish a small book titled "Surviving Affliction". The book's focal point will be on depression. I pour many of my struggles and experiences with suffering and the related depression into the little book. It is my creative, side effect of my own depression, as with much of my writing.


Worth Reading:

http://arstechnica.com/staff/2014/10/...

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts:

In the U.S. call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

If you live outside of the United States please contact health care workers or counselors in your area.