Years ago before I began to recognize what was happening with the diagnosing and medicating of so many thousands, I heard Lili Taylor was bipolar. This pleased me, since at the time I gave some credence to the diagnosis and as I admired her as an actress who took on interesting, non-traditional roles in independent film. She, thus, inspired me.
Yesterday I did a search with her name and “bipolar.” I was even more pleased and inspired to find that she has never been medicated. Many like her have been medicated as very young teens or adults and the tragedy is some of those people will probably never be able to soar creatively as she has done:
Intersections: Inside the Mind of Lili Taylor
Taylor’s fascination with psychology grew out of her own family’s experience with mental illness: her father was diagnosed as manic depressive, and in high school, she herself was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, though she was not medicated. Her therapist suspected Taylor’s symptoms might disappear once she found an outlet for her creative energies — which is exactly what happened, Taylor says. (emphasis mine)
This is, of course, how it could be for the vast majority of folks if they were actually deeply supported to find themselves and trust the often difficult and disruptive process of doing so.
I worked in mental health for many years as well as taking meds for many years. It is many people’s experience that any drug for bipolar at any dose can effect creativity and productivity. It was the case for me–granted I ended up on massive doses of drugs but even that first dose of lithium killed my brain.
I’m not speaking for everyone, but I know for a huge percentage any drugs effect creativity.
And while it’s true serious mania and/or depression will effect creativity negatively, it is the purpose of this blog to introduce the idea of alternatives to meds. Not to run around unmedicated and crazy. But to heal and live a healthy sane life.
I applaud Liv for not taking psychiatric drugs, but I’m not convinced about the last statement – that people who are medicated lose their creativity.
Studies that have been performed show no loss of creativity caused by normal amounts of medication treatment. Excessive doses, of course, could negatively affect creativity, but only until the drugs are withdrawn.
Also, if she were extremely manic or depressed, then she would probably not be very productive, and therefore, creative, either.
WOW this is great.
Good for her for acting and never taking the psych drugs.
Good for you Gianna for finding this!