|
I would consider "depression" analogous to high blood pressure, in being both a symptom and a cause of illness.
And like high blood pressure (which is often a necessary functional response to another internal disorder), depression can often be a valuable functional response. That's because it can be extremely motivating. When you're in pain, your first inclination is to do something to alleviate the pain. I think that's what the function of depression is: to put you in a frame of mind in which fundamental changes are perceived as necessary.
So it becomes a "postive" motivator at the same time that it is a debilitating disease.
If there is a real causal relationship between depression per se and creativity, I would ascribe it to this motivating characteristic of depression, and nothing more. And I think the pertinent point to be made here is that of course there are many other more healthy motivators available for one seeking motivation. But that doesn't change the fact that depression (for those unlucky to have it) can be extremely motivating.
|