So I'm writing a book where my main character is clinically diagnosed as being catatonicly depressed. If I write it without therapy will I become depressed? I've heard that sometimes those kinds of things happen to authors and they get 'stuck in' their characters lives.
Perhaps the character's inner disposition, or psychological experiences need to have been experienced/endured/suffered by the writer themselves. Personally I think Dostoyevsky is the best example of that; The Double, Crime and Punishment etc.
No. Categorically. Heart on sleeve moment - I have been clinically depressed, I have had my name entered on emergency lists, etc etc. I'm not looking for sympathy (I managed to get through it without resorting to medication) but I can tell you that depression and emotions (sadness, joy, grief, peace etc.) are very different.
As Zohaib points out, you feel sad when you write a sad part. Of course you do, you've just killed a character you know and love (or some other circumstances). But that's an emotional response. I would suggest it is impossible for depression to manifest itself unless it is helped along by chemicals (take the tragedy of Heath Ledger's Joker as a case in point, or bipolar disorder, which is a physical chemical imbalance) or by some profound personal circumstances which occur while you're writing - in which case, shelve your project, and return to it when (not if) you get better.
Whoo, that was serious, wasn't it? It's an important point though, which needs to be addressed - after all, we are what we read.
it happens. i am writing a simple novel, but whenever a sad part comes i feel the vibes i do get sad, i dunno it will effect ur life or not just telling you that your character plays some role in your life