I knew that

[rolanni]

According to this article, I work at two of the Top Ten most depressing jobs -- artist, and administrative support.

This is not a surprise, exactly -- both careers feature high performance expectations from people who are. . .less than completely educated. . .about the reality of the work involved, as well as huge chunks of stuff that has a Critical Bearing on your work and the ultimate success of same that are completely out of your control.

What I do find disturbing about this article is the commentary that suggests artists ought to find medical treatment for their stress; a recommendation that is made for none of the other careers listed.

Anybody here read "Phoenix" by Lee and Miller?

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Haven't found a reference to Phoenix by either of you this morning. Something I missed? Always excited to find something by you I don't have. Kathy from CA

[keristor.livejournal.com]

Story in the Companion volume 2, originally published in chapbook #7. (I always hope that there's another story I haven't read yeat as well.)

[(Anonymous)]

Ah, I have Loose Cannon on my Kindle, just not good about the names of individual stories. It does fit the article perfectly, should have thought of that. Kathy

artists ought to find medical treatment for their stress

[bookmobiler.livejournal.com]

I think your and Steve's take on this is clearly expressed in Loose Cannon (Chapbook #7) Phoenix.

Also in Fledgling in the sections dealing with "treating" Theo's clumsiness.

There's got to be a better way.

Possibly understanding and support from family and friends.

Re: artists ought to find medical treatment for their stress

[(Anonymous)]

There probably is a better way, but I am not sure our culture has the intelligence to realize what that is nor the sanity, or guts, to implement it on a large enough scale.

[saruby.livejournal.com]

I loved Phoenix, but while losing the ups and downs may also lead to loss of creativity, it doesn't always. I think the sense that artists should seek treatment has to do with the high morbidity rate of untreated bipolar. I would be much worse off without my meds. Personally, I think anyone with chronic or severe depression should seek treatment. At least to see if it helps. Another thing to consider is that while many jobs are careers, art is a calling. You can change a job, but not a vocation.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Certainly, anyone who is in intolerable pain, or in danger of inadvertently harming themselves, should be encouraged to seek assistance. My gripe with this particular article is that the practitioners of only one of ten risky careers were singled out as needing to seek assistance.

It may be that, having said it once, the authors of the piece felt that it needn't be said again, but when that's the case, the information is usually given as a preface to the entire article, or in the text of the very first example given.

I do know several writers who "ride" their cycle, to the benefit of their art; and I know others who need the...more consistent head-room the drugs give them. We're all different; our tolerances for thrills and distress -- and our ability to and strategies for coping -- are unique to each of us.

[brownkitty.livejournal.com]

Isn't artistic expression commonly regarded as therapy?

[aldersprig.livejournal.com]

According to this article, I work at two of the Top Ten most depressing jobs -- artist, and administrative support.

Hunh, me too.

[takaal.livejournal.com]

And another one here. Throw in "writer" and "[pick a craft] pattern designer" and there's a whole lotta work for not much thanks (or pay)!!

[(Anonymous)]

I think this is one of those ultimately useless "fun with statistics" things - the highest amount of depression reported was 11%, for nursing home workers, compared to the general population at 7%. (And one would think that health care people would be more on the lookout for depression symptoms.) 10 of the careers evidently reported more than average depression levels - so the other 11 would have to be less than average to make it add up. So, my question, what was the career with the least amount of depression reported?? Maybe beer making? -sbs

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Whatever happened to honoring those who were touched by the gods, and helping them handle the weight and honor of that touch?

Oh. Wrong culture. Okay. There's a book out -- Flight of the Creative Class? Creation of the Creative Class? Something like that -- which opines that part of what makes a society great is the Creative Class, but that all too often, modern-day societies (built by that class) turn self-destructive and chase them out. Enlightened self-interest -- let's support our creators!

Stress releiver

[(Anonymous)]

Just checked out Uncle Hugo's web site where they had very happy making, stress releiving news about the awesome chapbook sales levels of Lee and Miller Chapbooks AND very nice words about the forthcoming hardcover release. If you haven't already seen it, go and enjoy.

Anne in Virginia