For many artists, it’s the pain within that helps them create powerful art.

The myth of the “tortured

artist” or the artist who must suffer for her art to be creative and inspired exists for a reason. It’s
well known that some of the world’s most beloved artists have battled depression. Goya, Vincent
Van Gogh, Georgia O’Keefe, Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock and Alice Neel, have battled mental
illness. So why – if it’s so well established that depression and creativity are often linked – do we
have such a difficult time confronting our demons? Perhaps because it’s harder than it looks to
admit you’re not well and need help.

If you’re an artist feeling depressed, you should know you are not alone, and you are not crazy. The
feeling of not being able to breathe, as if the world is swallowing you whole, is terrifying. It would
make anyone feel like they’re losing grip on reality, but it’s just that: a feeling. And like the waves of
the ocean, feelings come and go. As soon as you begin to feel emotionally depleted, take pause.
Here, we ask mental health professionals to unveil some self-care techniques that will help you get
past your darker days.

Artists and Depression: A Common Pairing

Depression itself is a difficult thing to live with and when compounded by challenges in your creative
process, it can seem like artists and depression share an uncommon bond. For writers, the months
of rejected pitches and declined pieces can feel like years of denial. For artists, taking on a new
series after a few successful sales can feel like an unachievable climb. The same goes for musicians
or designers when the inspiration just stops coming. Difficult moments are common in the lives of
artists, so we must be careful not to slip into a dark oblivion.

Megan Gunnell, LMSW is a psychotherapist and international retreat leader working in Grosse
Pointe, MI. She explains that “Creatives are sometimes highly sensitive souls. Our need for
restoration and renewal can be higher than others. We can also be overstimulated easily and need
opportunities for quietude and replenishment.“ She notes that these feelings need to be identified
and dealt with if they are to pass.

Artist Depression and Self-Care

“When we open ourselves up to using our senses to experience the moment and bring our full
presence and attention to what’s in front of us, it can increase our thoughts and experiences of
gratitude and joy,” Gunnell says. “Self care is always important too. When we feel overloaded,
situationally depressed or burned out, it’s an indicator our self-care needs our attention. When our
self care is high, our resiliency and coping increase.”

Take a look at your these factor to assess what needs support:

sleep
nutrition

hydration

exercise and outlet for stress/recreation

leisure or hobby activities