Writers Block and Depression?

Question

I was wondering does anybody have any good tips for Writers Block? I will admit that I have battled with depression since I was a child..though when I was younger I could write very freely.. Now that I'm 27..It seems that now I can't write at all...My depression has changed very dramatically..I used to be able to read a book in one day, and now I can't seem to focus enough to read. I will tell you that I am on Paxil..30mg...and sometimes I wonder if it has caused me to develop adult Add...I guess in the end ..I'm asking what a person with depression can do about a writers block problem..because I really do miss writing...Writing was always my love..

Answer 1

I find that when I cannot write, i go back and edit what I have done, then it glides me into writing

Answer 2

Hmm. 30 milligrams isn't so bad. I have a friend who's on 300 of a different brand of anti-depressant.

There are some inspirational writing books that might help you. My favorite is "poemcrazy" by Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge. It's sort of a collection of beautiful personal narratives intertwined with writing exercises. It's not exclusively geared toward poetry, in spite of the title; it'll inspire you no matter what type of writing you're pursuing. Susan is awed by words and language of all kinds. Another book of writing exercises (it's actually for teachers) is "The Practice of Poetry" by Robin Behn & Chase Twichell. And a really beautiful book that's inspiring all around - "A Big New Free Happy Unusual Life" by performance artist Nina Wise - has chapters on writing as well as dance and visual art. She's a very smart and eloquent woman. I took a dance class with her once at the University of Wisconsin. All of these books should be pretty cheap used on Amazon.

I know how you feel about not being able to concentrate at either writing or reading because it was the same for me; in high school and younger, I would be absorbed in reading for hours and not even notice. Now, in college (I'm a grad student), it's usually a struggle. (Even when I'm off school I don't want to read.)

Anyway, first, you need to simply sit down and write and _not judge_. Judging yourself in the early phases of writing will prevent you from getting anything on paper. I suggest setting yourself a goal to spend at least a few minutes writing in a journal every day (I like to type my journals so I can keep up with my thinking). Journals are the writer's savior; they preserve clever ideas you would have otherwise forgotten and basically offer a place to talk to yourself, which is a necessity for a writer.

You might also consider joining a local book club - even at Barnes & Noble, though I hate that store. The more you read, the more you'll want to write, and you'll probably meet new friends (a good help for the depression).

Answer 3

well
ive had depression for 1.5 years
im on lexapro 20mg. and i just started
im around my teenage years
i used to write but then started to cut myself but now im back to writing
i cant focus on books either
and i have add too but now my parents think im making up problems
so i have to live with it till someone in my fam. believes me
just listen to songs that inspire you
or find ure inspiration
mine was that i saw another persons (my friend) piece of writing and i was inspired and wrote again

Answer 4

try meditating. if you can get a good practice of meditation going you'll get the juices flowing. this is a good book, simple and concise.
http://www.amazon.com/A-Gradual-Awakening-Stephen-Levine/dp/0385262183