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Actor with depression and anxiety

By em Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Hello!

I am new to this site.  I am an actor and a dancer/choreographer.  My whole life I have battled anxiety and ocd.  It was never immobilizing, but  certainly had a huge impact on my life.  In the times in my life where things were going very well, stable, creatively fulfilled, these symptoms were faint.  At times of uncertainty and change, they blow up.  Now, I am 36, just bought a house with a longtime boyfriend and am delving into my career as an actor, which is incredibly difficult and uncertain.  So, needless to say, my anxiety and ocd is high.  But, over the past year, with all this change, depression has arrived.  I was having big mood swings and times of just pure exhaustion and depression.  I am in therapy, and have tried Zoloft and Lexipro.  These drugs either numbed me, or gave me more manic mood swings.  My therapist said she doesn't see any bi-polar in me, but maybe just some minor mood instability.  I am so tired of being so excited on a Sunday night about getting all this great stuff done the next day, then Monday morning comes, and I have no structure and no motivation to do anything.  I would love to try a different medication, but I am afraid that it will mess with my emotions so much that as an actor, I wont have the emotional range that I do now.  That is a huge question.  Are there any creative people out there that rely on their true emotions for work, and are on depression medication?

Thanks!!

 

1/ 4/08 8:20pm
Hi my partner is a very creative person, actor and director.  He is very passionate about what he does and extremely good at it.  He was diagnosed with depression about 8 years ago but earlier this year was diagnosed with bipolar 11( mild bipolar). He has an excellent Pdoc. He takes an antidepressant ( paxetine) which does not push him toward mania like many other antidepressants. The doc is working with him on mood recognition and mood switching techniques. Brain scans show that activity in one part of the brain can be moved to another by these techniques. I was skeptical at first but......whatever it is its working and he still has his creative side.  He does however have to lead a disciplined life, sunshine, exercise, sleep, eating well and low stress...these are the keys. There are medications which work and do not make you a zombie.  Try a lower dose or a change until you hit the right combination. I suffer from unipolar depression and it took me 3 docs and trialling 4 medications until the right one and the right dose was found. I am symptom free now. Best wishes. Rusty
Anonymous
Anonymous
1/ 5/08 10:10am

Thank you so much!  That really helps.  I will look into that medication!

Em 

Anonymous
Lee
3/ 6/08 4:49am

You may not see this since I'm posting a couple of months later, but I just wanted to encourage you and tell you how much you encouraged me by sharing.  To share my entire story would take us both way beyond our tolerance level.  Just please know that it does take time to find an excellent pdoc who knows the brain, and for me, it was life saving to be in therapy for three years.  I 'm still in it although I moved away when I got married.

 

I wish for you my friend, the creative actor/dancer/choreographer, a couple of best friends who will never ever doubt you.  You may find them on this forum, or you may already have someone in mind.  As gregarious creatures we need affirmation from someone who cares.

 

You touched me, Mr./Ms. actor, because you put words to the struggle I have always, with going outside ... I'm immobilized!  I am 52, I have raised two children," I escaped a psychopathic marriage of 25 years, I remarried, and still, I'm innert. 

 

I did, however, go out today to plan a garden.

 

I'd love to hear from you if you need someone who will always believe and understand.

3/ 6/08 1:07pm

Thank you!  I am so glad you got out and planned your garden.  Thats a very healing thing!

Be well,

Emily 

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By em— Last Modified: 12/20/10, First Published: 01/02/08