My mom is manic depressive, but not very creative.
However, my daughter is extremely creative, and i worry about her with our family history. She’s into theater, singing and writing. She was an excellent flute player at 15, and was starting to win all sorts of awards.
Last year, she came down with musician’s and writer’s cramp (focal dystonia). It causes uncontrollable muscle movements and cramping.
It’s made worse by stress. The doctors have said she fits the mold for that disorder. High achiever and doesn’t have good body awareness so they just push their bodies through pain and don’t know when to stop.
It makes me wonder about mental illness. Maybe they don’t know when to stop. Maybe if you catch it early, you can prevent them from falling into psychosis.
Good point. I don't know if that is the case, but it certainly makes sense.
Hmmm I think this might be one of those A/B things where artists are psychotic or is it that they become artists because they (we) can’t express ourselves verbally. Steven King scares me. I do not want to know his mind.
As for your daughter, stress seems to be a major factor. There are self help psych books on biofeedback which helps us control ourselves when we are stressed. Like the SEALS training. Controlling your breathing, heart rate, the whole shebang. Becoming aware of your body can be learned, like playing the flute. Yoga would be great. There is a 90 year old yoga teacher. Beautiful! Just an idea.
IDK. IMHO the less stress in the vunerable’s life the better. College away, not such a good idea, six years taking creative courses for a four year degree, much better.