A Treatment Plan: on Mood Stabilizers and the Inhibition of Creativity
A Treatment Plan: On Mood Stabilizers and the Inhibition of Creativity
There is significant evidence that highly creative people are at greater risk for mood disorders, especially bipolar disorder, than other people. It has also been reported that many creative people feel that mood stabilizers inhibit creativity. While symptom management is important, recovery is not centered on eliminating symptoms completely, but rather making them more manageable. The ultimate goal is to increase the quality of the individual’s life, which includes decreasing symptoms, while also considering what makes that person feel fulfilled. If a highly creative client with a mood disorder claims that their medication regimen is interfering with the quality of their life, this is an indication that the treatment plan should change to better meet their needs. It may be necessary that the individual take medication to reduce the severity of mood swings, however the medication or dosage should be changed if there is a high risk that the individual will stop or refuse their medication, as well as if the medication is interfering with creative pursuits that are important to the quality of his or her life. I would insist on a medication regimen that is in the best interest of the client while keeping their personal goals and concerns of side effects in consideration. Moods are a normal occurrence in every individual’s life. One becomes diagnosed with a mood disorder when the moods have a significant negative impact on the quality of their life. Risky, impulsive behaviors as a result of mania, and suicidal ideation or even suicide attempts are examples of dangerous symptoms that disrupt the quality of an individual’s life who is living with a mood disorder. The author Kay Redfield Jamison is a highly creative individual who lives with bipolar disorder. In her book, An Unquiet Mind, she admits that her disorder had many negative consequences, but she also claimed that the creativity
There is significant evidence that highly creative people are at greater risk for mood disorders, especially bipolar disorder, than other people. It has also been reported that many creative people feel that mood stabilizers inhibit creativity. While symptom management is important, recovery is not centered on eliminating symptoms completely, but rather making them more manageable. The ultimate goal is to increase the quality of the individual’s life, which includes decreasing symptoms, while also considering what makes that person feel fulfilled. If a highly creative client with a mood disorder claims that their medication regimen is interfering with the quality of their life, this is an indication that the treatment plan should change to better meet their needs. It may be necessary that the individual take medication to reduce the severity of mood swings, however the medication or dosage should be changed if there is a high risk that the individual will stop or refuse their medication, as well as if the medication is interfering with creative pursuits that are important to the quality of his or her life. I would insist on a medication regimen that is in the best interest of the client while keeping their personal goals and concerns of side effects in consideration. Moods are a normal occurrence in every individual’s life. One becomes diagnosed with a mood disorder when the moods have a significant negative impact on the quality of their life. Risky, impulsive behaviors as a result of mania, and suicidal ideation or even suicide attempts are examples of dangerous symptoms that disrupt the quality of an individual’s life who is living with a mood disorder. The author Kay Redfield Jamison is a highly creative individual who lives with bipolar disorder. In her book, An Unquiet Mind, she admits that her disorder had many negative consequences, but she also claimed that the creativity