Don't feel like playing drums anymore.

[drummerboy60]

Well I just got back from the doctor at the VA medical center today. Have not felt like drumming anymore along with other problems that I won't go into. I am being treated for sleep and night mares plus depression and anxiety all due to the war in Iraq. I have been missing practice with the choir and Church. The doctor also set up a appointment for counseling. Also I told the doctor that I played the drums and she said that would be good therapy for me to do. So maybe this weekend I will get back to practicing and work on some new stuff. I thought I would just let everyone know what going on with me. Thanks for reading.

Keep drumming

Gregg

[8beat]

It's OK to take a break sometimes. You have been through a lot. Is there something else that you would like to do?

[drummerboy60]

I would just like to play drums for a living. That would be great if the whole world was just music and not war.

Keep drumming

Gregg

[wolvie56]

You have to find some way to not let things you have no control over bother you so much. Your age, what other people think of your drumming talents, the fact that your not in a band gigging every week making a living on just drumming, among I'm sure many other issues. You have to find your center. You might be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder which is classified as an anxiety disorder, especially if you saw combat. This would explain your bouts of depression. I feel that you need to be examined by a non VA facility to find out why your not able to be happy in your life. The longer you wait on getting counseling, the harder it will be to overcome your ailment. I wish you good luck.

[quikstang2]

It's okay to step back and take a break on occasion. You might need to go out and find some new inspiration in places you never thought you would. If you need someone to vent to about whatever, shoot me a PM. I hope you find peace and balance soon.

[BeatMonster]

I would just like to play drums for a living. That would be great if the whole world was just music and not war.

Keep drumming

Gregg

Amen to that!

Have you thought about cruise ships or a function band?

[Bish]

Yeah, I think a project that puts some consistent demands on your daily schedule would help a lot.

I, on the other hand, have not been gigging for a couple of years now and am not too intense to start up another. I like the lack of responsibility I have achieved.

[Olimpass]

I get that feeling whenever I see one of those Avery 7 year old drummer vids...lol.

I'm an idiot, I really hope you get well Gregg and just keep hanging in there man, doing what you love. If you do not feel like playing now that's ok. Your health is first.

[drummer]

Yeah, I think a project that puts some consistent demands on your daily schedule would help a lot.

^This! As the old saying goes, "An idle mind is the devil's workshop". It isn't to be taken literally but to strengthen the understanding that, idle time tends to leave you thinking too hard about things that aren't always healthy for you. For example, if you had a lot of time to think about the recent be-headings, you could drive yourself mad. It it is a very complex issue that delves into sociology, religious fundamentalism and the psychology of the human mind. Keeping yourself busy is even a trick that retired seniors use to stay alive. Statistics show that when they keep busy, they live longer.

One more thing: Vow to be happy and surround yourself with happy, positive, uplifting people, books, messages, videos, etc. Here's a good handful of things right here at DrumChat that can get you started: http://www.drumchat.com/forumdisplay...piness-38.html

[longgun]

Drummerboy, transition to civilian life can be a mess.............. I understand what you're going through..........seven tours under my belt.........PM me if you need to talk.

[porkpieguy]

I think you are doing the right thing by getting some therapy and easing back on the drumming to concentrate on yourself for a little while. I'm no expert, but from my experience in being in several bands, it may be best to jump head-first into the healing process for a few months or even a year before committing to a band. When you are ready to play consistently with people, you need to be ready.

Hope this helps!

[signia fan]

For most of us, drumming is not the absolute center of our world, we have other responsibilities, job, family etc. at one point in my life it did encompass every waking hour. But for most, life is not that simple. I played an outdoor festival gig 3 weekends ago, I carried most of the kit I used down to the drum room the next day, and it has sat since then. I have not taken 3 weeks off the kit for a couple years now, but my heart is not in it at the moment and that is OK. My wife is awaiting some test results and has some serious health issues, work is hectic, and even though I make good coin, it never seems to be enough to cover everything. On top of that we raise our 6 year old grandson, that in itself requires devoted time and effort, so with wife's health, my ailing broken boned body, it is never easy. The drumming should be an enjoyable outlet and it can be a great stress reliever, but it won't dry up and disappear if you take a break. Take care of your mental health Drummerboy, I pay attention to the effects on the US military. It is a shame your government uses it's forces for its needs, and then seems to attempt to wash their hands when their service life ends. But I guess this is discussion for places other than a drum forum.

[porkpieguy]

I went from playing drums for many years to concentrating on the hammered dulcimer. While I was doing that, my drums were stacked up in the basement. When playing the hammered dulcimer started to fade, I started concentrating on acoustic guitar. Now, my guitar and dulcimer only make their way out of their cases maybe once or twice a year because drums has now taken over again. We all go through seasons, and that's ok.

[SpazApproved]

I wonder if they make a pill yet... like viagra... to get you into the mood. haha j/k

Hey man I've been there myself. Was in a band for almost 10 years, when we broke up I just didn't feel like starting all over again with something new. Am just now finally getting back into it.

[late8]

You have to find some way to not let things you have no control over bother you so much. Your age, what other people think of your drumming talents, the fact that your not in a band gigging every week making a living on just drumming, among I'm sure many other issues. You have to find your center. You might be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder which is classified as an anxiety disorder, especially if you saw combat. This would explain your bouts of depression. I feel that you need to be examined by a non VA facility to find out why your not able to be happy in your life. The longer you wait on getting counseling, the harder it will be to overcome your ailment. I wish you good luck.

This is a great post. It's as if wolvie56 was speaking directly at me too. I suffer from PTSD after many years of physical and verbal abuse from my parents. It took many sessions from a therapist recently to allow me to function with out feeling depressed about things I couldn't control especially when it came to dealing with the behavior of my parents towards me today. Seek outside advice from the VA if you can afford it. Good luck Gregg....

[slinky]

Hey Gregg, I'm sure some of the other factors are making you feel like not playing anymore but unless you truly are tired of the drums then maybe try a new instrument but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Like said becoming too idle is no good. Anyway it looks like you know what to do. It's right there in your signature

[bongobro]

Gregg, I have the feeling I should have answered this one first (you'll notice I responded to your "Thanks" thread earlier and only now stumbled into this one!)...

You are not alone. All of us, at one time or another, have felt like packin' the sticks away (or in my case, not layin' another hand on a conga or a set of bongos). In my case, a major job change and the disbanding of our contemporary music group at church had me really down for a couple of years, but I can honestly say it's nothing at all like what you went through.

The fact you sought help and are getting it are the first, and probably most important steps, in getting back behind the set. And, as you posted in the later thread, you're going to stick with your church gig.

A friend of mine with whom I worked in radio about a decade ago used to sidn off his show with something that has stuck with me--and given me some major encouragement--ever since:

"Life is a marathon, not a 50-yard dash...it's never too late to start and it's always too soon to quit."

I had to make some changes in the past seven years, and most all of them, as it turned out, were for the better--although I didn't think they were at the time!

Keep us advised, bro'...

[Ricardo]

We all go through the seasons.
If it doesn't feel right, then don't worry about it.............it will come back around.

After continuously playing in live band situations for over 20 years, I did not play a live gig for 14 years (not counting "sitting in")..........I kept my skills up by doing occassional studio gigs during all that time.
Then out of the blue in 2012, I get a call to audition for an established gigging band.
That first gig was high stress but it soon became "normal" again.

Now, I will take a week or two off from the drums if the opportunity presents itself............sometimes I feel a bit guilty............sometimes not.

[gonefishin]

I will add keep your practice sessions fun otherwise practice becomes a chore and nobody likes chores. This will help keep you interested in drumming.

[CB700]

I saw on you tube yesterday about service dogs that can help with PTDS. Not sure if you have it or not but the dog helps calm you down.

[BackStreetDrums]

I would just like to play drums for a living. That would be great if the whole world was just music and not war.

Keep drumming

Gregg

Then it is up to you to carry on...don't give up the drumming.

I started when I was 14yo...Vietnam and life got in the way. I am 65 today, just got back into it as part of my 'bucket list'..actually, the only thing on that list.

Life has never been better.

WELCOME HOME!

[not him]

This is a great post. It's as if wolvie56 was speaking directly at me too. I suffer from PTSD after many years of physical and verbal abuse from my parents. It took many sessions from a therapist recently to allow me to function with out feeling depressed about things I couldn't control especially when it came to dealing with the behavior of my parents towards me today. Seek outside advice from the VA if you can afford it. Good luck Gregg....

Didn't know this. But have to tell you you are one of the people when I was going threw a lot that helped me get threw it. Words will and can never thank you enough My Friend

[Drumbledore]

Like others have said, we all go through some seasons. At the moment I've got a few things happening musically and personally in my life, so apart from a few fill-in gigs with mates of mine and the odd session, really I'm just doing my schedule of students, as the last thing I was doing just wasn't cutting it for me....so I just moved on. I'd rather that then get caught up in the nonsense that was going on in that situation.

Seeing my guys and girls keep improving and being more confident in leaps and bounds is the thing that's keeping me fired up right now. As well as feeling emotionally and spiritually balanced. As I always say, for me, learning everything in music is my own best therapy and workout. Then again, different strokes for different folks. I'm just glad that I mostly have positive folks around me. And I'm there for them too.

[jgziegler]

MY two cents, I'm about to be single after 10 years, if I didn't have drums and my band, I don't know where I'd be, but I don't think it would be at all pretty.

One big advantage of playing drums is that it's a sought after instrument. Yes, I'm glad I play with friends and prefer it that way, if we split up, I'm sure I'd find something to my liking soon enough.

I know it's tough, and we're part of a special group of people who not only appreciate music, but are able to make it. That's a magical thing to be part of, as Carl Sagan might have said, "How the Cosmos comes to know itself"

[drummerboy60]

I just read all of your comments and advice and want to thank each and everyone of you and your support. I know I can make it through this just like a lot of other people out there.

Keep drumming

Gregg