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<p> You would be forgiven for thinking that I'm a narcissist. A couple of years ago I thought I might have Histrionic Personality Disorder. Apparently this is a common diagnosis among actresses and an even more common misdiagnosis. Anyway, I don't have HPD but if I did, I probably wouldn't be that diffferent to how I am now. </p> <p> I opened a discussion with some creative artistic people at a Perth Actors Collective post-workshop networking drink about my theory (that was stolen from many greater thinkers) that each creative profession, indeed each profession, has a pet psychological disorder. </p> <p> I was speaking to a practicing lawyer-come-actor when I asked her what the lawyer's neurosis was. There was stunned silence until I explained my theory. Happily the mentor/tutor knew what I was referring to and backed up my argument. Apparently lawyers suffer from narcissisim too, and anxiety. </p> <p> So the discussion continued and we concluded that, probably, actors were predisposed to narcissism, writers to melancholy and depression, directors to narcissim, anxiety and melancholy. So directors relate best to depressed lawyers. </p> <p> This is a broad generalisation. An exercise in prejudice. And I only engage with it for fun because really, I feel indignant at the way that actresses in particular are perceived as hysterical, precious poppets. In a recent farce that my partner was cast in, the male characters kept referring to actresses in a pejorative sense, "You know actresses... you know what they're like..." It's fine for comedy, but not in real life, and unfortunately too many industry members have the impression that this cliche is based on reality. Maybe in Hollywood, though I doubt that, too. I'm an actress, and proud of it, but I am not hysterical or precious or particularly narcissistic. In fact, I'd say most actors that I'm familiar with (and I use actors to encompass all sexes and genders) actually struggle with low self-esteem, self-doubt, depression, anxiety, rage and boredom, without ever becoming narcissistic or hysterical or precious. The way that performers are treated like somehow because they express themselves creatively through their bodies that they are shallow and don't experience genuine or valid emotional lives is the farce. The way that we are often rejected and marginalised because of our creative choices is the disorder. But it's a social disorder, not a neurological disorder. The fact that Mr. Paxman thinks that pointing out that Russel Brand is an actor and comedian will discredit and disqualify him from being a political commentator is sadly symptomatic of our society's attidude. </p> <p> We don't like celebrity activists because we feel like they're taking advantage of their position in the media to preach. Or, even worse, they've only adopted a cause to raise their profile further or make themselves look good.</p> <p> But who gives a crap? If a lawyer feels passionately about something and uses their resources to contribute to the cause no one bats an eyelid. They'd get negative feedback if they DIDN'T abuse their postition for a good cause. If a teacher does it, same story. Accountant, same story... so why are actors expected to shut up unless they've been handed a script? </p> <p> As actors we get a lot of flack for being 'divas' even though all the actors I know are compassionate, warm, self-deprecating and professional individuals. I don't think we are narcissists. We use our egos as shields because we exist in a paradigm that demands that we're constantly begging to be picked by other more powerful individuals. We depend on others approving of us to get work, most human beings don't have this situation to the same extent as actors. So if we come across as full of ourselves, we're just trying to fool the panel behind the audition desk. </p> <p> For an insight into the mind of a professional Australian actor of film, TV and theatre catch this Catching Sight interview with Geoff Miethe. </p> <p> http://catchingsightfilm.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/human-ness-is-what-i-hope-i-never-lose.html</p>