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In the UK 1 in 4 people are diagnosed with clinical depression at some point in their life. I have a type of depression called Manic Depression, which is much much rarer, but the symptoms are more sever.

I was recently on stage performing shakespeare, and I suddenly was hit by a depressive phase. Needless to say my performance failed badly that day because if it, whereas the other days it had been very well.



Is there anyone else here who has similar problems with public performance and depression? It does worry me. Is there anything I can do to combat it? Usually I wait for it to go away, but with a public performance that is just not possible.


Tom
xx

It's usually my audience that get depressed.

Hmmm.

this is the first time i have ever heard of anybody having an atack of depression during a performance.

The process of portraying sombody else, takes you out of your self, together with the raised adrenaline, and seratonin levels.

After a show, is the time it tends to hit.

And I think that the term Manic depression is a bit dated. Nowadays, Its more common to reffer to teh state as Bi Polar,.

Not true actually, the best people in the world still call it Manic Depression - read An Unquiet Mind, excellent book on it if you're interested.


Manic Depression isn't like most forms of depression, Depression phases or Mania phases hit at ANY time, with no reason whatsoever. When I'm manic its fine, I perform really well and am very funny... the other half of me is... well the opposit. :/

I generally suffer from depression when watching magic and mentalism

greedoniz wrote:I generally suffer from depression when watching magic and mentalism

I feel like theres a joke in there somewhere, but I don't get it?

Nope. no joke just my experience of watching magic isn't overly a positive one. Usually a single middle aged bloke with little to no charisma who thinks he's "crazy" who has what can be loosely described as an act which seems to have not changed since 1974.....particularly the gags

You'd feel the same if you saw my act too

me neither.

Stephen Fry famously suffers from manic depression. I don't know if he's ever suffered while on stage, but you've probably heard about the time he went AWOL when a stage show got bad reviews. You're in good company anyway

I don't know what the best thing to do to help would be. I guess trying to do something to make yourself feel up/manic before you step onto the stage might work, but not suffering from BPD myself I don't know if that's possible

Sorry if I can't help much, your GP might be able to though. Good luck anyway, I suffer from bad lows after doing tricks from time to time so I know how hard it can be

kolm wrote:Stephen Fry famously suffers from manic depression. I don't know if he's ever suffered while on stage, but you've probably heard about the time he went AWOL when a stage show got bad reviews. You're in good company anyway

I don't know what the best thing to do to help would be. I guess trying to do something to make yourself feel up/manic before you step onto the stage might work, but not suffering from BPD myself I don't know if that's possible

Sorry if I can't help much, your GP might be able to though. Good luck anyway, I suffer from bad lows after doing tricks from time to time so I know how hard it can be

Indeed, who doesn't love Stephen Fry

I am already taking 21 pills of a morning and 12 of a night, so I doubt prescription is the answer.

lithium can be of help to people with bi-polar disorder, 2 of my friends have it.
manic depression / bi-polar are dificult conditions to treat and manage over a long period due to the fact that the episodes can vary in intensity and frequency, the fact that you had a bout on stage is of concern and you should see your gp for a medication review if you are on any.

Eshly wrote:I am already taking 21 pills of a morning and 12 of a night, so I doubt prescription is the answer.

No, I don't think it is

There might be something which isn't drugs that could help, even if it's CBT. Personally I find coffee perks me up with energy. I think it's a case of finding that thing or routine that keeps you sane for those times you just can't be depressed

Hypnotherapy! I may be able to help. For a fee of course. I'm nothing if not a prostitute.

themagicwand wrote:Hypnotherapy! I may be able to help. For a fee of course. I'm nothing if not a prostitute.

Nah. Manic depression is a hardware problem not a cognitive one.

Tomo wrote:

themagicwand wrote:Hypnotherapy! I may be able to help. For a fee of course. I'm nothing if not a prostitute.

Nah. Manic depression is in a hardware problem not a cognitive one.

And naked mentalism 1 and 2 cure everything...(just doing Tomo's shameless self promotion for him, before he has the chance!)