Is this a Xanax or a gateway to Adventure?

"Silver Xanax Necklace" Cast of Vices

It must be the latter for some people in Louisville, Kentucky. In case you haven't already heard about it, check this out

I wonder how many of them are Mad too . . . .

The Mad Boy

The Icarus Project. . . and Food.

Haute Cuisine

I'm an odd product. Well, the product of an odd childhood. . .Don't read to far into it, my Family is about the only thing I love.  It's probable that I'll never understand my own oddity, however, I am intensely aware of my indiscriminate hunger for Perspective, so -

Here is one from The Icarus Project, whose mission

" . . . envisions a new culture and language that resonates with our actual experiences of 'mental illness' rather than trying to fit our lives into a conventional framework. . . . Participation in The Icarus Project helps us overcome alienation and tap into the true potential that lies between brilliance and madness. "

It goes a bit further that just those words, but overall it's a nouvelle cuisine fusion of anti-psychiatry & avante-garde, garnished with a hint of rebellion. . . .

Do I agree? . . . does it matter?

It's just one dish of many in our smorgasbord!

The Mad Boy

APA Perspective: Creativity & Mood Disorders

"Starry Night" Vincent VanGogh

A few days ago in therapy - Oh God. Mentioning therapy?! Forget it, I need to get a life.

Getting back to the subject . . . .

Back in July, the American Psychiatric Association published an interesting article on their blog. Provoked by the recent loss of Amy Winehouse, the article was authored by Dr. Mohammad Alsuwaidan, a Psychiatrist with expertise in Mood Disorders. He writes -

" . . . despite our modern methods, illuminating the “line” or “link” between mental illness and creativity remains elusive.  Studies show that a certain level of melancholy or mixed emotions may be needed to access the creative spring. Unfortunately this negative emotion may also underlie some of the symptoms seen in bipolar disorder. . . "

He goes on to discuss several perspectives on balancing the benefits of treatment against their risks to creative drive. Offering up a unique perspective of his own -

" The message to mental health professionals is clear in my mind; we should attempt to treat highly-creative individuals with mood disorders with all the latest advancements including medications. BUT we should listen carefully and work with our patients to understand what effect treatment is having on their creative drive. Perhaps some individuals need some degree of discontent to “kindle the creative fire,” and we should step up to the challenge of helping them achieve a tolerable and productive balance. "

I'm not really all that smart and I most definitely am not a Doctor. I like Doctors though, so reading Dr. Alsuwaidan's research electrifies my already insatiable curiosity about my own creativity, perhaps it can spark someone else's too . . .

The Mad Boy

Art & Psychiatry

Two subjects have taken control of my curiosity lately: Art & Psychiatry. There's a lot of reasons driving my new obsession . . . one being the Concerta the psychiatrist put me on, but that's a subject for another day. . . The main reason is really because I'm an artist, at least try to be, who happens to frequent the Shrink's office.

The best way to introduce myself is by sharing with you one of my favorite people -

That about sums it up. I'm a Mad Boy, my name isn't important.