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by Dr.Meghna varma

The Power of the Written Word:Writing Therapy & Its Psychological Benefits


Did you know that art is a great way of emotional healing? Painting, sketching, dancing, playing an instrument, writing - all these art forms play a vital role in helping an individual get out of a rut, cope with anxiety and manage stress better. Writing therapy is an excellent form of art therapy which not only helps you cope with various stressors in your life but can also propel your growth by giving you a sense of control over your life.

It is also one of the most versatile and economical forms of therapy as all you need to get started is a pen and a diary. Journaling is know for its cathartic effect and powerful healing. It can be used along with other forms of therapy or as a standalone method.

How does writing therapy help?

Putting your fear, weakness, uncertainties, and trauma on paper helps you throw out the unwanted and non-significant parts of yours. Often trauma and suffering engulf us in chaos and uncertainty and we don't get away from it. It gradually manifests in the form of anxiety, depression, anger, or negative emotion. Learning to write a painful trauma relive the pain inside you. You will come out in a strong mental state to accept and face the fear and challenges of life. It identifies your wounds and helps you to accept them and deal with them.

Writing therapy has been proven to be effective in helping people with many psychological conditions & illnesses such as:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Grief & Loss
  • Post Traumatic Stres Disorder
  • Substance Abuse
  • Eating Disorders
  • Low self Esteem
  • Apart from these, creative writing therapy can be effective means to bring physical, emotional & mental energies together to create something that perfectly depicts your thoughts & feelings. Here are its other benefits:

  • Relieves stress
  • Improves memory
  • Gives you a new perspective
  • Trains your brain to look at the positive in any situation
  • Improves physical health - lowers blood pressure levels, reduces pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients , improves lung function, lessens physical symptoms related to prostate & breast cancers.
  • Writing Techniques

    FREE WRITING:

    This is a style of writing with no boundaries. It is also known as journaling wherein you can put all the things that come to your mind on paper. There is no judgement or censoring involved.

    LETTER WRITING:

    This involves writing a note to your family or friends, in some cases it can be even to the people who’ve hurt you. This method helps you touch base with people who matter & offers a chance for you to mend broken relationships

    EXPRESSIVE WRITING:

    This is a writing style in which the individual is asked to write about a traumatic incident which he or she has experienced in the past. The objective of this form of writing is to help the writer accept what has happened & come to terms with it.

    Writing inner thoughts is the best self-healing therapy. This process requires accepting your vulnerabilities and building the strength you need to face the challenges and trauma of life. Your ability to express feelings and emotions in words creates a pathway for your understanding of yourself.

    Read other blogs by Dr. Meghna Varma