On The Outside Looking In: Creative People, Depression and Suicide

Why is it people who are creative such as singers, musicians, actors, artists and comedians that seem to have everything succumb to depression and/or suicide?

I was thinking about this recently when we lost two very talented, creative people.

The first was Chris Cornell from Temple of The Dog, Audioslave and Soundgarden and two months later, his friend Chester Bennington from Linkin Park on Chris' birthday. Both hung themselves.

Previously, Kurt Cobain was the most prominent example of a singer commiting suicide.

I asked myself

"What can push someone who has family, friends, money and fame to be depressed in the first place and secondly, commit suicide?"

Was it substance abuse, a chemical imbalance in the brain, lack of self-love or were they overwhelmed by the immense pressure to keep creating new material for their record labels?

Comedian Robin William's suicide a few years back shocked and stunned everyone.

How can someone who gave us all so much comedic joy suffer from depression?

It could have also have been from a chemical imbalance caused from depression.

It was later found that Robin also had Lewy Body Dementia where he would literally attack himself mentally which probably lead to his suicide by hanging.

I could somewhat relate to this...

This is just an observation based on my own experiences with depression.

As a creative person who has dealt with depression my whole life, I can only speak for myself when I experienced a shortage in self-love and care as well as feeling the constant pressure to please people, help others as well as feeling I wasn't doing enough for those I love.

When I first started writing poetry, blogging, writing books and music as well as spiritual artwork I felt the pressure to produce and be successful.

With time, learning, family and friends and some professional help,

luckily, I didn't have to deal with this alone.

I had learned to give myself some breathing space with my projects, to leave them for awhile until I had some new inspiration I could add at a later time.

I believe all creative people are highly empathic and sometimes inspiration comes in spurts

or like an instant download.

I have had the experience of having too many ideas all at once that burned me out.

Sometimes information overload can happen and mess up the nervous system.

Another thing that can mess up creative people is perfectionism.

Sure, we want to put forward an excellent project but obsessing about it burns us out, too.

Eventually, I got better with my self-care and finally took care of the inner child in me begging for my attention for so long to finally pursue my creative ventures and have some quality down time with balance.

I had learned to break free from taking care of everyone else first and leaving myself for last.

I was getting better and better at finding balance between helping others and pursuing the things I had longed for many years such as writing.

In my own journey of depression I learned that if I didn't do the things I was passionate about, I would get depressed especially when my creativity was blocked or suppressed because of my many obligations.

I also learned to break free from the "Grand Illusion" like the song from Styx.

Mass media gives the illusion that in order to be successful, you need to have millions of dollars and all the expensive things that can be bought from them or to look like a runway model.

When we don't feel we live up to these expectations, it can cause depression and anxiety.

Welcome to the Grand illusion Come on in and see what's happening Pay the price, get your tickets for the show The stage is set, the band starts playing Suddenly your heart is pounding Wishing secretly you were a star. But don't be fooled by the radio The TV or the magazines They show you photographs of how your life should be But they're just someone else's fantasy So if you think your life is complete confusion Because you never win the game Just remember that it's a Grand illusion And deep inside we're all the same. We're all the same... So if you think your life is complete confusion Because your neighbors got it made Just remember that it's a Grand illusion And deep inside we're all the same. We're all the same... America spells competition, join us in our blind ambition Get yourself a brand new motor car Someday soon we'll stop to ponder what on Earth's this spell we're under We made the grade and still we wonder who the hell we are

~ Styx "The Grand Illusion"

Just know you are on your own journey of self-discovery and care, you'll get to where you need to be as long as you persevere and keep on keepin' on.

You're perfect to me.

It's my hope that creative people with depression and suicidal tendencies help themselves through family, friends and counseling before it's too late.

Much Love,

Rev. Sue