The written word can become a powerful tool in the path of treatment to overcome traumatic states and mood disorders. It can also be used under the guidance of the therapist for adolescents
There are many threads that connect the business writing states of mind and literary and poetic production are the clearest example of this. But writing is also a potential tool therapeutic or self-therapeutic, so much so that it has attracted the attention of psychologists and psychotherapists for its possible structured use, and various researches are evaluating its level of effectiveness. Research into the beneficial effects of what is called writing therapy (writing therapy) has a long tradition says Chiara Ruini of the Department of Psychology of the University of Bologna, who with Cristina Mortara wrote a review published in the Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy. But unfortunately the quality of the studies, the heterogeneity of the people included and the heterogeneity of the protocols used make the results obtained so far difficult to aggregate and compare with each other. Therefore the objective evidence of efficacy is scarce, and in any case the effects are probably quite contained. It does not detract from the fact that the writing therapy may be useful for the supplementary treatment of traumatic states, depressive and stress-related disorders, patients with oncological or chronic diseases. The most effective therapy if within the psychotherapeutic path there are at least three writing sessions, lasting about twenty minutes each and guided by specific instructions. For example, indications on the topic to be treated, whether to write in the first or third person, how to describe the emotional experiences and any events that have occurred. Very important guidance and feedback from the therapist says Chiara Ruini.
Overcoming the stress
There writing therapy has been studied in the psychological field especially for the treatment of post-traumatic disorder from stress (PTSD), for which the evidence of efficacy seems more evident. Generally oriented towards the description of the traumatic event and related emotional experiences and / or salient memories, to promote stress resilience processes. In these patients the efficacy of narrative techniques is comparable to that of other established psychotherapies, and also in this case the involvement of a psychotherapist ensures better and lasting results. As for ailments instead anxious and depressants, or other clinical conditions, the evidence for efficacy is less consistent. There is probably a beneficial effect in reducing the length of psychotherapeutic interventions, favoring the process of “self healing”.
Relational difficulties
Furthermore the writing therapy it allows access to psychological therapies even to those with high levels of shyness, social inhibition, relationship difficulties. Personally, as a researcher and clinical psychologist, I consider it a very useful tool that should be part of the repertoire of every therapist, to be used within an articulated clinical path and in line with the emotional needs of patients adds Ruini. It is important to know how to choose the type of narrative activity, the therapeutic objectives to be achieved, how to improve the cognitive re-elaboration of an event, promote well-being, stimulate the search for meaning and purpose in life. But also to identify the most appropriate therapeutic moment to integrate it into the therapeutic path.
Memories
As with any form of therapy, also for writing therapy there may be possible side effects. The most recurrent is the manifestation of negative emotional experiences, anguish, depression, anxiety, following the re-enactment of the traumatic episodes in narrative form, says Ruini. Writing, in fact, has the power to make thoughts and emotions more “real” and thus triggering intense emotional reactions. The effect can be momentary and gradually disappear by re-reading what is written and reworking it with the therapist. In some cases, however, the written re-elaboration of traumatic episodes can trigger or worsen cognitive rumination, that is, rethinking in an obsessive, repetitive and afinalistic way what happened, trapping in a vicious circle of unpleasant intrusive memories, a sense of helplessness, anger and frustration. But the written re-elaboration of pleasant experiences and memories could paradoxically decrease psychological well-being, reducing spontaneity and novelty that distinguish lived experiences as joy and amazement. Finally, if a third person, in addition to the writer and the therapist, read the content of the narratives, shame and embarrassment could emerge, thus raising the importance of the confidentiality of the contents of the writing therapy remembers the expert. From the perspective of positive psychology – a recent strand of psychological sciences that emphasizes the role of the individual’s positive potential – the writing therapy it can help promote psychological well-being and awareness of one’s strengths. It therefore differs from the objective it achieves in traditional psychological therapies, in which it is aimed at treating discomfort and stress-related symptoms. The narrative techniques used within positive psychology consist in reflection activities on oneself, on one’s existential goals, on meaningful relationships with others and on the recalling of significant moments in one’s life. For example, you can write a positive presentation of yourself, or an autobiography that highlights critical moments and turning points in your life, or letters of gratitude and forgiveness to some significant person, or even fairy tales focused on overcoming obstacles and problems. and on achieving the “happy ending”. All writing activities that can be used at various moments of the therapeutic path according to the patient’s needs.
December 29, 2021 (change December 29, 2021 | 16:11)
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