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How Has Writing Helped Alleviate Your Sadness? - Lu Loo's Blog

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How Has Writing Helped Alleviate Your Sadness?

Blog Posted:10/18/2016 8:21:00 AM

We all know someone who has depression, and we may also suffer from this disease. But how common is it? How and why does writing help alleviate the symptoms?

Depression is the leading cause for disability worldwide. While depression and anxiety are two different conditions, it's not uncommon they go hand in hand and occur at the same time. Over half of the people who suffer from depression will also suffer from anxiety in their lifetime.

Most people can feel depressed at times as it is a normal reaction to loss (although I feel personally loss can cause clinical depression, just my opinion), life's struggles or injuries. But when feelings of intense sadness last for weeks, months or years it is most likely more than just sadness. On average, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 8 men will suffer from depression at sometime in their lives.

Here are some of the signs of clinical depression:

1. depressed mood, particularly in the morning

2. extreme loss of energy

3. feelings of worthlessness or guilt almost every day

4. impaired concentration/ trouble making easy decisions

5. insomnia almost every night

6. extreme loss of interst or pleasure in almost all activities or hobbies

7. recurring thoughts of suicide

8. significant weight loss or weight gain

Some illnesses can cause clinical depression. Cancer is the leading illness that causes depression in the world. Of course, loss and death can cause depression for long periods of time. Speaking from experience I still have bouts of extreme sadness that affects my every day life from many losses in my life. I am not alone here at Poetry Soup.

How does writing relate to depression?

Writing is the number 1 natural (non-medical) outlet for depression in the world. The intense emotions felt are used as inspiration. The pain felt turns into beautiful art. I am not saying poets are always depressed because on the flipside, as we all know poets are so very much inspired by positive emotions as well. These intense emotions, weather up or down creates the masterpieces all writers can relate to. Writing can cause tranquility if someone is depressed. It can release healthy hormones in the brain that eases our minds. Personally, I feel crying is a good outlet when I feel extreme sadness. The solace felt in writing can alleviate our anxiety as well. I am speaking for myself when I say this, but writing poetry is the number 1 thing that has helped me with my drug addiction. I have been writing for over 25 years now, but since I got sober 8 years ago my writing style and content has changed dramatically. It is the best outlet when I feel an urge to take a drink or pill, and for this I am eternally grateful.

Like I mentioned above, this blog is not intended to say that all writers suffer from depression (or addiction), I am just curious how you feel about these things and maybe how they relate to you.

What has sadness taught you about yourself and your writing? How has sadness inspired you in your beautiful writing? Why do you think it can be such an inspiration?

Image result for writing poetry quotes

Thank you for being a part of my journey...

What is your journey like?

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Jan
Allison

Date: 10/19/2016 6:52:00 PM

I've had sleep issues since my hubby had cancer surgery - nothing to do with depression just the last 3 years have been the most challenging in my life - I write for one reason for me ... I have found something that I LOVE doing and I am learning and being creative and having fun:-) no matter what is going on in my life i still try and write with humour - writing is an escape and is so so therapeutic :-) hugs jan xx

Jan Allison
Date: 10/21/2016 5:25:00 PM

I don't think I've been more content in life LuLoo - starting to write has been the best thing I've ever done:-) Hubby had all clear for another 6 months:-) life is good:-) hugs Jan xx

Lu Loo
Date: 10/20/2016 8:55:00 AM

Jan, you are the light here. You have been since the day I started. I'm sorry about all your challenges but I know how special your hubby is to you, it must be very difficult. Be blessed lovely Jan :) thanks for stopping by :)-luloo

Sandra
Haight

Date: 10/19/2016 5:49:00 PM

Hi Laura, for me, writing poetry is a form of creativity much like painting, where I use words to shape my emotions about certain things. I began writing poetry very young and use it more to image the beauty of nature, God, and philosophical ideas and thoughts about life. But, I do know it is very therapeutic also for many, and that is wonderful. Hugs, Sandra

Lu Loo
Date: 10/20/2016 8:53:00 AM

I paint also sweet Sandra! I love drawing more though but they are all ways of expressing our emotions in one way or another. My faith is a bog part of my poetry also. I am grateful to have met you! thanks for stopping by lovely Sandra :)-luloo

Joanna
Daniel

Date: 10/19/2016 9:56:00 AM

Most of my deep poems of hope and faith are a result of some sadness or pain(literal) which I am not able to share otherwise, so yeah, I can call poetry my outlet of withheld emotions:) the wonderful contests on soup help me channel it in the right way:) I'm grateful to GOD that I'm here:)

Lu Loo
Date: 10/20/2016 8:52:00 AM

I too am grateful to God for my life and all the goodness He has given me in the last 36 years. Although I know this, I suffer from extreme sadness and anxiety at times. But my faith has carried me this far, along with my wonderful family. I know God has a journey for me and I now want to live it. For many years I wanted to give up. Now that I do still have saddened emotions at times, I know it will pass. thanks dear Jo..you truly are an inspiration to me and many others here. I am so grateful to have met you and be able to read your beautiful pen...:)-luloo

Darren
White

Date: 10/19/2016 5:19:00 AM

I suffer from clinical depression or MDD and Anxiety Disorder , yes. It's debatable if it's hereditary in my case, or because of my childhood/youth. But yeah. Insomnia. But also: a lot of pain in my joints body, head; problems even to make myself sit up or dress; incredible tiredness; suicidal thoughts. And so much more that it's impossible to write it all down. I joined soup because poetry helps me. Although one poem I wrote for a contest this week sent me into a low for days now, but I'm slowly crawling back up :)

Darren White
Date: 10/21/2016 8:24:00 AM

http://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/i_am_grandfather_840034 I am so sorry about your sister.... I tried myself, but as you see I am still here. At this moment I want to be alive. I am in love, have a boyfriend. And hope for the first time. It will not cure MDD, but I have something to fight for now. See you around :) Darren.

Lu Loo
Date: 10/20/2016 8:49:00 AM

Oh Darren, I understand where you are coming from. I too get physical pain at times. But not like it was many years ago. I used to have suicidal thoughts (maye once) but after I saw my sister struggle with bipolar and lost the fight to suicide I decided I'd rather be alive than leave behind my loved ones feeling the way I do right now because of her. What poem? I want to read it. thanks for stopping by :)-luloo

Lewis
Raynes

Date: 10/19/2016 3:49:00 AM

Hi, I don't suffer depression exactly however I find poetry focuses my mind whilst painting opens it which helps the bipolar. Not writing about anything in particular, just a random topic that comes. It allows me to just forget everything else. Great blog.

Lu Loo
Date: 10/20/2016 8:46:00 AM

I also paint and draw Lewis. There's nothing like it in the world! I too suffer from bipolar and am not ashamed to admit it, By that I mean I have fought the battle for years, but finally am living a healthier happier lifestyle. Of course I still have moods and ups and downs but NOT like years ago. For that I am grateful. I think a lot of us poets also have other outlets like painting etc...which is great to know. Thanks for stopping by Lewis :)-luloo

Julia
Ward

Date: 10/19/2016 1:59:00 AM

Poetry Soup gives me the opportunity to create and keep interesting poetry. I've had tragic experiences, but I don't dwell on them if they are not current. I like to see life as a lollipop or a Nora's Nosh (a plug for my contest).

Lu Loo
Date: 10/20/2016 8:43:00 AM

that's great that you don't dwell Julia, I wish I was more like that! Well, your opportunities pay off with that pen of yours...thanks for stopping by :)-luloo

Vladislav
Raven

Date: 10/18/2016 5:25:00 PM

Hi Luloo, depression is an old friend to me. By writing it does help. The worse the depressive mood the lighter i do write. Now and again it will show in what i do, that can't be helped. As a rule no one would know i was depressed, there are ways to mask how i feel. I find if i do write something that may show my depressive mood it is better to take a rest from whatever i am doing. Maybe i truly write to show myself that it is possible i have a little worth in this world. I think i shall take a little break from the soup now and just regroup for my next run. Believe me, this poetry is hard when you have acute depression, acute anxiety and brain damage. Still, i love writing. Hugs....Mike. XX

Lu Loo
Date: 10/20/2016 8:42:00 AM

Oh Mike, you poor thing. Sometimes breaks are good for us, but don't stay away too long, we would miss you :) I'm glad writing helps your depression...thank you for stopping by friend :)-luloo

Andrea
Dietrich

Date: 10/18/2016 3:05:00 PM

Hi, Laura. This is a good topic. I can see that some people here are getting out their frustrations with poetry. I think it is normal. And it's very nice for you if it is helping you stay healthy and feeling better about yourself. I have been really stable all my life. I have very few ups and downs. I am known both at work and home as a person who sticks to routine and just stays very consistent in mood , etc. I basically just write for the love of putting words together and playing with meter and rhyme and vocabulary to come up with the best lines I can make . Much like a person who derives pleasure from puzzles. I derive pleasure from meeting a poetic challenge! Keep being true to YOU!!

Lu Loo
Date: 10/20/2016 8:30:00 AM

I can see how wonderfully consistent you are lovely Andrea! and I am happy for you. You always do meet the challenges! thank you for your comment sweet Andrea :)-luloo

Constance
La France

Date: 10/18/2016 10:30:00 AM

Laura I have been writing since a little girl, my grandma gave my first journal and pen and said write your pain, write it dear heart and the rest is history. I have used writing to express my grief ever since

Lu Loo
Date: 10/18/2016 12:13:00 PM

oh lady...I know how well you express your grief. You display such sadness in that gifted pen and it touches me and so many others. Thank you sweet Broken Wings :)-luloo

Stephen
Pennell

Date: 10/18/2016 9:08:00 AM

I find writing a poem about a subject /emotion a release . once written I can let it go. regards depression my take on it http://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/the_big_black_dog_839177 think I would like to come back as a tree lot less hassle than being a sentient being.

Lu Loo
Date: 10/18/2016 12:12:00 PM

thank you Stephen, I will check that out later today..:)-luloo

Julia Ward
Date: 10/18/2016 11:23:00 AM

Your post made me think of a photo I saw recently with a man holding his forefinger and middle finger to his head (like a gun)whilst gazing at a camera. It was immensely powerful.

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My Recent Poems

Date Posted	PoemTitle	Form	Categories
9/18/2022	Broken Angel----	Verse	anxiety,metaphor,pain,
4/15/2022	A Happy Hound- Nursery Rhyme	Monorhyme	dog,silly,
2/27/2022	-for No One Could Ever-	Couplet	appreciation,love,
2/9/2022	-the Determination To Heal-	Quatrain	addiction,emotions,hope,p
1/19/2022	This Pain	Rhyme	addiction,pain,
7/23/2021	-the Sparrow In Me-	Couplet	bird,dad,death,love,
7/3/2021	To My Dad - the Greatest Man I Ever Knew	Rhyme	dad,death,loss,love,
12/20/2020	May Comfort Find You This Christmas	Rhyme	blessing,christmas,hope,
12/20/2020	To the Youth Who Once Knew Hope-	Lyric	angst,children,environmen
12/20/2020	Life's Mysteries	Acrostic	love,
12/19/2020	-december Lullaby-	Rhyme	blue,christmas,depression
8/15/2020	-even Without Ink-	Rhyme	addiction,appreciation,de
6/22/2020	-misunderstood-	Couplet	deep,emotions,metaphor,
6/2/2020	- Reborn -	Quatrain	appreciation,confidence,g
5/4/2020	-who I Am Now-	Verse	angst,pain,
4/11/2020	-haven of Hope-	Verse	inspiration,marriage,
3/27/2020	-a Heart of Empathy- Ink	Verse	hope,life,
3/27/2020	Bond Between Woman and Soul	Verse	deep,emotions,metaphor,
3/22/2020	Since St Patty's Day	Alexandrine	death,sad,
3/2/2020	-farewell My Beautiful Being-	Verse	appreciation,goodbye,happ
2/25/2020	Our Dalliance Has Ended	Rhyme	lost love,metaphor,missin
2/24/2020	Memories of Melodies	Rhyme	marriage,passion,
2/23/2020	-perceiving Reality- Lm	Verse	encouraging,life,metaphor
2/23/2020	Beneath the Pendulum	Free verse	absence,deep,farewell,
2/21/2020	-the Three In Me-	Rhyme	life,metaphor,
2/21/2020	Death of An Angel	Verse	angel,death,deep,
2/20/2020	And I Do-	Free verse	friendship,love,
2/18/2020	-a Handmade Card Just For You-	Verse	sympathy,
2/18/2020	-afflatus-	Tristich	appreciation,inspiration,
2/18/2020	Thy Death	Verse	dark,death,deep,
2/17/2020	Crannies of Tears and Years of Fears	Verse	betrayal,dark,deep,extend
2/14/2020	A Love Divine, My Valentine	Verse	love,valentines day,
2/13/2020	I Shall Be What You Crave	Rhyme	longing,love,
2/12/2020	I Love You All	Free verse	encouraging,gender,love,
2/12/2020	Ten Years Old	Dodoitsu	birthday,silly,
2/12/2020	Silence	Cinquain	metaphor,silence,
2/12/2020	Loving Who Needs Loving	Verse	longing,love,
2/11/2020	A Secret, Not Forgotten	Rhyme	emotions,metaphor,sad,
2/11/2020	Crimson Fire	Rhyme	longing,lost love,
2/10/2020	My Sweet, O How I Miss You	Pantoum	miss you,
2/10/2020	-tell Me, Does Anyone Really Care-	Verse	loneliness,
2/10/2020	O, How I Miss-	Rhyme	lost love,sister,sorrow,s
2/10/2020	Where Was I When I Needed Me	Verse	betrayal,loss,metaphor,re
2/9/2020	Should I Take a Chance	Verse	anxiety,desire,how i feel
2/9/2020	All Is Dead	Free verse	deep,metaphor,
2/9/2020	The Secret	Verse	dark,deep,lonely,
2/8/2020	A New Heart Desinged	Abecedarian	faith,hope,
2/8/2020	Indigo Silence	Rhyme	deep,metaphor,
2/7/2020	Am I	Rhyme	hope,life,
2/6/2020	Maybe the Dog Is Good For Something	Limerick	dog,silly,
2/6/2020	Only Me	Rhyme	love,
2/5/2020	Safekeeping	Free verse	dark,deep,metaphor,
2/4/2020	Who I Am Not	Free verse	deep,metaphor,
2/4/2020	-yet-	Couplet	angst,sad love,
2/3/2020	His Voice, Lyric of My Soul	Verse	love,metaphor,music,
2/2/2020	-three Plus One-	Rhyme	faith,god,prayer,
2/2/2020	How Unfortunate	Verse	dark,deep,metaphor,
2/2/2020	Easing Me, From Afar	Verse	angst,anxiety,metaphor,so
1/30/2020	-the Affection of Our Connection-	Sonnet	love,meaningful,passion,
1/30/2020	An Aria of Alluring Autumn	Haiku	autumn,beauty,
1/30/2020	-brilliant-	Verse	beauty,confidence,happy,i
1/29/2020	Salt Poured From My Eyes	Verse	beauty,nature,sorrow,
1/29/2020	What I Hold Dear	Senryu	meaningful,memory,
1/29/2020	- But a Moment Away -	Free verse	death,deep,sorrow,
1/29/2020	A Lonely Cloud Forsaken	Free verse	lonely,longing,
1/28/2020	- When Dusk Ascends -	Free verse	beauty,encouraging,imager
1/27/2020	Withered Layers	Rhyme	lonely,lost love,
1/27/2020	Singing Soft Songs of Solitude	Free verse	love,music,sad love,siste
1/26/2020	Fallen Shadow	Free verse	angst,solitude,
1/26/2020	Epiphany of Depth	Villanelle	deep,how i feel,sorrow,
1/26/2020	A Furbaby's Love Never Ends	Rhyme	best friend,dog,love,
1/26/2020	Brevity Muse - Cl	Lay	love,metaphor,poetry,
1/26/2020	Familiar Magic	Free verse	desire,hope,longing,
1/24/2020	-the Fear of Me-	Verse	dark,deep,metaphor,sorrow
1/24/2020	Did You Know	Verse	love,metaphor,,western,
1/24/2020	Uplifted By Courage	Free verse	appreciation,blessing,gro
1/23/2020	Autumn Alteration	Haiku	autumn,nature,
1/23/2020	As If, Forever	Free verse	marriage,passion,
1/22/2020	A Kaleidoscope of Hope	Free verse	daughter,death,dream,life
1/22/2020	Breathless - - - Once Again	Verse	dark,deep,extended metaph
1/21/2020	My Heart's Lullaby Tale	Free verse	life,poetry,
1/20/2020	A Night For Jesus As Well	Pantoum	christmas,god,
1/20/2020	- Conflating Amour -	Free verse	love,metaphor,
1/20/2020	Comfortable Silence	Free verse	beautiful,inspiration,lif
1/20/2020	Love and Leave	Free verse	extended metaphor,lost lo
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1/19/2020	- Plumb the Depths -	Lyric	love,song,
1/19/2020	Your Touch	Free verse	passion,
1/18/2020	He Was the One	Rhyme	death,lost love,
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1/16/2020	A Numb Mind	Sonnet	deep,metaphor,
1/16/2020	Goodbye To Worry	Acrostic	anxiety,inspiration,new y
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1/14/2020	Goodbyes	Verse	extended metaphor,goodbye
1/14/2020	Silent Reveries	Sonnet	life,peace,
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My Photos

Fav Poems

PoemTitle	Form	Categories
Attraction	Free verse	love,
Free Verse Fever	Free verse	day,romantic,
Gems and Petals	Free verse	analogy,beauty,imagery,me
Free Verse Fever	Free verse	love,true love,
Aching	Free verse	fear,
Indivisible	Free verse	10th grade,11th grade,bea
Grip To Hope	Free verse	bereavement,love,
Wind Chimes	Free verse	beautiful,inspirational,t
Free Verse Fever	Free verse	abuse,anger,angst,
Free Verse Fever	Free verse	appreciation,inspirationa
Free Verse Fever	Free verse	imagery,inspirational lov
Feeding Our Soul's Iq	Free verse	integrity,perspective,tri
Free Verse Fevour	Free verse	courage,inspiration,
Free Verse Fever	Free verse	anxiety,beautiful,crush,c
If There Was No Poetry	Free verse	poetry,
True Love	Free verse	devotion,dog,giving,integ
Angel of Comfort	Lay	angel,night,
Never Seeing the Truth	Free verse	love,
The Twilight Gate of Dreams	Narrative	dream,
Remember the Day	Bio	memory,
I Love Her To Pieces, Pieces	Rhyme	cat,friend,