Hugh Laurie, the multi-talented British actor who portrays the tortured genius Dr. Greg House on Fox's hit medical drama "House", admitted in a recent issue of The Sunday Telegraph that he was suffering from depression.
"I can't switch off," Laurie told The Sunday Telegraph. "I'm always thinking about the show. I'm too neurotic and anal and too convinced we're going to fail to relax. Every show we do is a disaster, I'm convinced of it. I go home and my head is full of all the mistakes I've made."
Laurie confessed that the demanding role often left him feeling "drained" and that he had sought the assistance of a therapist to help him cope with "mild depression".
In addition to his grueling schedule filming "House", Laurie has had to endure the stress of being away from his wife and three children, who have remained in London while Laurie is based in Los Angeles. Speaking about the separation, Laurie said, “What usually happens is: you do the pilot and, of the very few picked up, only about a quarter go to a second year. So I thought I’d have three fun weeks. I never dreamt I’d be here three and a half years later. But I do go back and forth as much as possible, as do my wife and kids.”
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His wife should get someone to watch the kids. The get on a plane and come to Hollywood and stay with her husband for a while.
There is a link between creativity and depression which is brilliantly covered in the book ‘Van Gogh Blues’ by US creativit coach and psychotherapist ERic Maisel – highly recommended as I use it myself and for my creative clients it’s a real eye opener.
The patterns that motivate the creative person to be creative are the same patterns that cause depression. They are a need for high levels of contrast that drive people crazy when curbed or blocked. Thats why school/ college/ work (for other people) is especially hard for us depressive types. That is why I work for myself and its the best move I ever made. I am successful and for the first time in my life I am actually making money.
I think depression and creativity do go hand in hand.. I have been depressed for years and I have a lot creative talents. I write, draw, and shoot photos. It relaxes me and gets my mind off other things. It’s hard to exist without them.
I have just come off antidepressants. I suffered postnatal depression for 12yrs until diagnosed and treated. I now fear my 13yr old daughter is starting to show signs of disfunctional behaviour. She is a very sensative soul and very creative . After a major drama tonight over her mobile phone and reading this article, I will be seeking professional help.
I don’t know about a high need for contrasts, but we depressives often need perfection. We aren’t always critical of others, but we are highly self-critical, and failing to live up to the standards we set for ourselves leads to depression. I see that in the actor’s comments.
Gail, I have PPD also. My daughter is sensitive also, but not very creative. I was very creative at that age, but am unable to spark her interest in these artistic things.
I think this is part of the outlook that has kept depressed people who make their livings in the arts from seeking the help they need. I know – I was one of them for nearly forty years.
We’re always afraid that if we help our depression, we’ll lose our “edge” or our particular way of seeing that makes us artists and makes us special. We don’t realize that if we can help our depression, it’ll free up a ton of energy with which to pursue our chosen crafts, and that we won’t lose our personalities or experiences – those things that fuel our creativity and are reflected in our creations. Maybe you do have to suffer to sing the blues, but you don’t have to keep on suffering.
Yes, I believe there is most certainly a connection between depression and creativity, but I also believe that a great deal of suffering and depression- related tragedies – everything from substance abuse to suicide – could be averted if people in the arts would be willing to confront their depression. If you find that the talk or drug therapy makes you feel better but does take away your creativity, you can always go back to being miserable. Personally, though, I feel that I never would have gotten my book deal (and in fact never did) if I were still suffering from the paralysis and self-defeating behaviours associated with my depression.
I am an artist and have suffered from depression for 28 years. I do believe that many creative people suffer from depression/mental illness, but I know I would be much more productive without the depression as I have a difficult time motivating myself and am overly perfectionistic. The artists I know who do not have depression seem to get more done and are less afraid of failure. Treatment has not helped me much.
Nine years ago at age 52 I had an almost instant breakdown & went into severe depression for several years with less severe episodes ever since. Five sleepless nights after the breakdown I found myself writing poetry for the first time in my life. Most subsequent poetry “appeared” at night & is much less frequent now.
” Poetry born of pain
” Wounded words do flow
” Will they one day cease
” When once again I grow
I have suffered from depression/anxiety since I was very small. I denied it, kept it secret, etc. My husband doesn’t understand it at all and so I keep A LOT and I do mean A LOT to myself. I mean, if someone you love doesn’t believe in it, then they don’t believe in you. Right? There are times I feel as if I am going to explode with hurt and pain and not doing things right. I just tell myself…’this too shall pass, Sam…this too shall pass.” I have been on antidressants off and on and have now been on one for 2 years now. It helps.