CHELSEA ART: The New Thirty-Something Block ... - ARTisSpectrum

The Healing Artof Creativity:Combating Chronic Stress andDepressionby: Brett Curtis Weber, Ph.D.Every genuine artistic intuition goes beyond what the sensesperceive and reaching beneath reality’s surface, strives tointerpret its hidden mystery. The intuition itself springs from thedepths of the human soul, where the desire to give meaning toone’s own life is joined by the fleeting vision of beauty and of themysterious unity of things. All artists experience the unbridgeablegap which lies between the work of their hands, however successfulit may be, and the dazzling perfection of the beauty glimpsedin the ardour of the creative moment: what they manage toexpress in their painting, their sculpting, their creating is no morethan a glimmer of the splendour which flared for a moment beforethe eyes of their spirit.” - Pope John Paul II, Letter to ArtistsJohn Paul II’s beautiful words speak to a universal humanexperience we share in when we create. I do not mention theword “Healing” in my artist statement, but the notion that art andcreativity can be used in the healing process is not a new idea.Certainly, there are many examples where a passion for creativityhas helped people face and persevere against tremendous personalobstacles--especially in the arts and sciences. Stephen Hawkingthe renowned physicist or the deceased artist Gay Lauritzen, twohighly creative people afflicted with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS), Lou Gehrig’s disease, both passionate about theirwork and life.Since my own diagnosis with Progressive-Relapsing MultipleSclerosis (MS), the freedom to express myself creatively throughart has been physically beneficial and psychologically therapeutic.How so? First, creating artwork (or simply acting creatively)may not be a cure for Progressive-Relapsing MS, but it is anexample of both a physical and mental process which helps me tomaximize my own natural coping skills--while alleviating someof the negative emotional stress caused by the progression of mydisease, stress which I believe increases symptoms and disabilitycaused by my form of MS.Whether a person suffers from a chronic illness like MS or not,we each do our best to overcome unhealthy stress and we eachadapt to change and adversity. Our sense of self-worth is closelyassociated with our apparent ability to control change within ourlives. When negative changes take place and are beyond our control(such is the case with MS), our need for control escalates. Inmy own situation, my need for control has at times become overwhelming.Practicing forms of relaxation that help me to let go ofthat need (especially during times of heightened emotional stress)provides me with a greater sense of perceived control over my illness,and may actually affect the progression of my form of MS.Approximately 6-10% of people with MS appear to have a formthat is progressive from onset, but also characterized by acuteattacks--in my case attacks have always correlated with periodsof high emotional stress.Regardless of what type of MS a person has, some commonemotional reactions are likely to appear. A sense of disbelief,anger, depression, guilt, fear, a driving desire to regain controlover one’s life--all of these negative feelings contribute to anintense chronically active stress within the person. Of course,stress is an entirely understandable response to MS (and chronicillness in general). A diagnosis of MS implies a lifelong condition,progressive physical disability, emotional conflict andlasting adjustments. Stress is a normal reaction to MS and shouldbe expected. Finding a positive stress-relieving escape from thedisease can be extremely helpful.Physicians claim that about one half of all people who haveMS experience a serious depression during their illness. I have,of course, at times felt depressed about my illness. Interestinglythough, I have never felt compelled to go on any form of antidepressantmedication. I believe that I am blessed with a naturallyhappy disposition, but that I have also maximized my naturalcoping skills through productive positive thoughts that haveinevitably taken shape within my art and personal life. Forexample, who I associate with and how they affect me emotionallyhas become an important consideration. I simply refuse tobe surrounded by negative people--and this includes certainindividuals within the medical community. I choose my physi-16 ArtisSpectrum